We are officially in full swing of the WNBA season with the All-Star break on the horizon. WNBA first basket scorers are among the best ways to get in on the action, since you don't have to sweat the entire game.
Of course, these are high-variance bets with long odds similar to first touchdown scorer bets in football, but that is why the odds allow for a nice payout when you get one right. With a large sample size, the risk is rewarded. Remember to shop around as odds vary widely across sportsbooks. Remember, these bets are for the first point scorer, so free throws also count.
We've gone a bit cold over the last couple of weeks, but that's OK. It's a good time to bounce back. Here are the best WNBA first basket picks for Wednesday, July 15th.
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Wednesday's Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Last Time: 0-2 | Season: 6-34 (+4.15 units) | Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Golden State Valkyries vs. Indiana Fever
Starting at the end of the day, we have the Valkyries heading to Indiana to take on the Fever. Indiana sits as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 170 points. Golden State is on a hot run with a seven-game winning streak, but Indiana has taken down four out of their last five and is catching their groove at the right time. This should be a good one.
The tip-off should be between Aliyah Boston and Kiah Stokes. They've faced off twice already this season and split the tip. Overall, Boston has been better in the circle, with a 57% opening tip win rate compared to 38% for Stokes. Assuming Indiana wins the tip, there are some options for the first basket.
Kelsey Mitchell is the obvious favorite and leads the team with five first baskets among their 13 first buckets and seven first shots. Golden State may have the best defense in the league, but they push teams inside, allowing the second fewest three-pointers against.
Mitchell attempts the most shots inside the arc on the team, and they look to her early and often. This isn't an option I'm going to overthink here.
Pick: Kelsey Mitchell (+487)
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Minnesota Lynx
Starting up at 1:00 PM ET, we have the Los Angeles Sparks versus the Minnesota Lynx, with Minnesota a 12.5-point favorite. With a whopping total of 182.5 points, we can expect scoring early and often.
The tip should go to Los Angeles, with Dearica Hamby on the tip. Hamby has already beaten Natasha Howard on the tip this year, and Howard herself has struggled to win opening possessions for Minnesota. The Lynx are possibly the best defensive unit in the league, but opponents shoot the second-most threes against them of any team.
Nneka Ogwumike is always an option as the go-to scorer for Los Angeles, but I want to go down the value board a bit to Rae Burrell. She ranks second in first baskets scored for the Sparks, and she's capable of scoring on all three levels, shooting 37% from beyond the arc.
This one really is a toss-up because even if Los Angeles secures the opening tip, Minnesota's defense is tough to get by. Still, I imagine they will have the first crack at it, and the value is too good to pass up.
Pick: Rae Burrell (+750)
