Mondays are always a little tough as we try to get back into the work week swing of things. But I do know of one way to make it a little easier or at least more pleasant: Bet on WNBA first basket scorers for tonight's game.
Why first basket props? Because when it hits, since the odds are typically plus-money, you'll at least double your money. Just the thought of doing that makes me smile a little bit. Now, there is just one game tonight, so I am going to try to break my analysis down a little more than usual and share my top pick at the end.
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Monday’s Best WNBA First Basket Scorers & Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Follow along and make sure to check out our WNBA First Basket Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for help identifying all of today's best prop bets.
Dallas Wings at Golden State Valkyries
Paige Bueckers is clearly going to be your top choice if you want to go with someone from the Wings. She has made the first basket on six occasions this season, including the last two times someone from Dallas did so. She shoots more than anyone on the roster in the first quarter (4.3 first-quarter attempts per game in the last 10) on 52.2% shooting.
Bueckers is not the only solid choice for the Wings, as Jessica Shepard had made the previous three first baskets for Dallas before Bueckers made the last two. Now, those were the only three she's had this season. Guards have scored 58.8% of the first baskets that Golden State has allowed this season.
Gabby Williams has become somewhat of a team leader for the Valkyries, which is likely why her name is in this conversation. She has made the first basket in four games this season and the first shot in three. In the last 10 games, she has attempted more shots in the first quarter, by a slim margin - 2.7 first-quarter attempts per game - compared to 2.6 for Cecilia Zandalasini and 2.2 for Veronica Burton.
However, Williams has made the first basket for the Valkyries only once in the last 10 games. Zandalasini has made the first basket in eight games this season, five of them just in Golden State's last eight games. She has made the first basket for Golden State in seven of their last 15 games.
Golden State does not have a bona fide superstar on the roster like Bueckers, but Williams is as close as it gets. But the Valkyries have an obvious pick, and the best one for this game - Zandalasini. She has made the first basket in eight games this season, including the last five times Golden State has scored first.
Pick: Cecilia Zandalasini (+500)
