Now that we are past the WNBA All-Star game, the second-half of the season is underway. WNBA first basket props are some of the best ways to get into action as you don't have to sweat the entire game before it cashes. Of course, these are high variance, long odds similar to first touchdown in football, but that is why the odds allow for a nice payout when you get one right. Over a long sample size, the risk gets rewarded. Remember to shop around as odds vary widely across books and remember this is for first point scorer, so free throws also count.
We are back in the green after hitting last time out on Aliyah Boston and I plan on riding that momentum tonight. Here are the best first basket bets for the Wednesday, August 5th slate.
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Wednesday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Last Time: 1-1 | Season: 7-40 (+4.75U)
Phoenix Mercury vs. Atlanta Dream
Again, it always feels like Atlanta plays when I write these articles but here they are again, hosting the Phoenix Mercury. The tip will likely be between Natasha Mack and Angel Reese. This is a battle that Reese won already this season, where she had the first shot attempt but Alyssa Thomas ended up securing the first bucket.
Considering how Atlanta's offense jumps from ninth to third when playing at home and the Mercury defense ranks 12th on the season and 11th over their last 10 games, I feel pretty good about the Dream securing the first bucket here, or at least the first shot attempt. Interestingly enough, over half of the first baskets allowed by Phoenix are from deep. That's nine different first buckets coming by way of the three-ball.
It's tough with Atlanta because Rhyne Howard dominates the first possession rate. Howard has accounted for nearly half of the Dream's first shot attempts and no one takes more threes a game than her. Between Howard and Allisha Gray, I'm guessing you'll find at least a first shot attempt tonight. I'm eating the chalk but feel free to go down the board to Gray.
Pick: Rhyne Howard (+450 at The Score Bet)
Dallas Wings vs. Washington Mystics
Next up we have the Dallas Wings at the Washington Mystics. If there is anyone I feel confident in taking down the opening tip, it's Shakira Austin of the Mystics. With her 6'5 frame and 70 percent tip win rate, I'm confident in her ability over Jessica Shepard, most likely.
From there, it's anyone's guess. Surprisingly, the Mystics have taken 73 percent of first shot attempts this year and have done so in 10 of their 12 home games. Over half of those attempts have been layups and Shakira Austin has been dominant in the first bucket category with seven. No other Mystics player has more than two. The Dallas defense is scary but it goes from fourth overall to 11th on the road this season and if Austin can get a look in the post, it makes sense why her number is so juiced. Again, I don't like going chalky so much but this isn't too difficult a decision to make.
Pick: Shakira Austin (+350 at BetRivers)
Los Angeles Sparks vs. Chicago Sky
Finally tonight we have the Los Angeles Sparks coming out to the midwest as the Chicago Sky host. The tip should be between Dearica Hamby and Kamilla Cardoso and the 6'7 Cardoso is 2-0 against Hamby lifetime off the jump. In their past two games this year, Cardoso missed a layup as the first shot attempt before Erica Wheeler grabbed the first point. And in early July, Natasha Cloud missed a three-pointer before Hamby made a free throw to cash the first point.
Obviously, Cardoso is the chalk option here but I can't go three-straight chalk picks. Just noting that she is a fine selection. That's especially true considering the current injury status of this team. Azura Stevens is tied for the most first shot attempts on the team but she's been ruled out followed by Skylar Diggins, who is also out. Considering Sydney Taylor is questionable and your options are a bit limited.
But that helps us get risky here. The Sparks defense has been a bottom three unit all year so anyone is capable of getting a bucket off them. For me, that's Courtney Vandersloot. She's capable of slinging it from deep or driving to the hoop and while her minutes are getting more limited, she still accounts for 20 percent of first shot attempts from Chicago. At these odds with the current state of the team, I'm happy with a dart throw.
Pick: Courtney Vandersloot (+850 at DraftKings)
