WNBA First Basket Scorers & Picks: Wednesday (9/23)
The WNBA is back in action, and the playoffs are right around the corner as we head toward the end of the regular season. WNBA first basket scorers are one of 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 offer 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 on the first point scorer, so free throws count as well.
And just like that, we're back in the positive. It has been quite the up-and-down season, but that's what happens when you bet such long-odds plays. Here are the best first basket bets for Wednesday, September 23rd.
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Wednesday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
Last Time: 1-1 | Season: 9-57 (+2.15 units)
Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty
We start with the New York Liberty hosting the Atlanta Dream. New York is a 1.5-point favorite at the Barclays Center. We're winding down the regular season, but that doesn't mean we can't cash some last regular-season first-bucket bets.
On Monday, we saw this matchup. Breanna Stewart took the first shot, but Pauline Astier secured the first point. Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, and Allisha Gray all had attempts at the hoop before a point was scored, so you can see how it's really a game of inches between cashing a bet or not.
While Angel Reese has done well on the tip, Jonquel Jones has beaten her in both attempts this season, so I'm going with a New York player. As you can tell, the chalk players have taken attempts for the Liberty, and I'm sticking with Stewart. She's been great for us in this market, and leads the team in first-shot attempts. The odds aren't particularly short either, so I'm comfortable with them.
Pick: Breanna Stewart (+500 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Dallas Wings vs. Seattle Storm
Out on the other side of the country, the Dallas Wings take on the Seattle Storm as they try for a last-second chance to move off the seventh seed. They can still move down, especially depending on how New York plays, so both games will impact seeding tonight.
Dallas is a near double-digit favorite, so I am comfortable with their ability to take care of business tonight. Awak Kuier for Dallas has also historically crushed Dominique Malonga on the jump, so I do expect Dallas to take the first shot. Surprisingly, Dallas has taken only 40% of first shots while securing nearly 60% of first buckets. Despite not winning the tip often, their defense still steps up, so I think they might get a few chances at the first bucket in this one.
Again, I don't love going with the chalk, but Paige Bueckers has crushed the first-shot attempt rate for this team with eight; no one else has more than three. They need her to go off tonight to win comfortably, so I'm good taking her to score early.
Pick: Paige Bueckers (+500 at Fanatics Sportsbook)