WNBA Best Bets (June 17): First Basket Player Props

It is going to be a fun night for WNBA fans, with six games scheduled, featuring many of the league’s best teams and top players. So many games mean, of course, a plethora of markets to consider betting on. For the sake of this post, I am going to focus on one: WNBA First Basket Player Props.

How can you predict who is going to make the first basket in a game without a crystal ball? Well, it is not an exact science because of the many variables involved. But the odds tend to be longer than most player props, meaning a better payday when one hits.

(Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images)

After reviewing several statistics, I have identified two as solid indicators. Neither are exact, nor do they qualify as “guarantees” or “locks." But they’ll give you a fighting chance. On that note, here are my top three WNBA First Basket player prop bets for tonight’s games (odds via FanDuel).

If you're hoping to find more sports and WNBA betting promotions, Ballislife Bets has put compiled a list of the best sports betting offers here.

WNBA Player Props: New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky

I have to admit. When I started looking into the stats for this game, I expected to find them overwhelmingly in favor of the Liberty. New York is taking a seven-game win streak into tonight’s contest. It has gone 4-1 on the road, and a player has attempted the first shot in six games and made the first basket in eight.

Not a bad argument, right? Well, when you factor in that the Liberty made the first basket in just one of their last four games, it doesn’t look as good.

When you look at the stats for the Sky, the right choice becomes a little more clear. Chicago doesn’t have the offensive firepower that the Liberty has, nor has it played as well (4-9). But the Sky attempted the first shot in seven games and made the first basket in nine, including seven of their last eight.

My Liberty vs. Sky WNBA First Basket Prop Bets

• Kamilla Cardoso (+470, FanDuel)
• Skylar Diggins (+1000, FanDuel)

Kamilla Cardoso has made the first basket in three games this season, including Chicago’s last. Meanwhile, Skylar Diggins has done so twice. Both have made it twice inside the last six games. I might lean towards Cardoso, but there is value in Diggins at +1000.

Best Brand

BetMGM Promo

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Best Bonus

FanDuel Promo

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

Newcomer

Caesars Promo

Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets

-

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

WNBA Player Props: Dallas Wings vs. Golden State Valkyries

Dallas is an interesting team in this market. Someone from the Wings has attempted the first shot in a game just four times. Paige Bueckers has done it three times, and Arike Ogunbowale once. But five players have made the first basket in a game, which the team has done nine times (led by Bueckers with four).

But Golden State keeps this from becoming an easy decision. The Valkyries have had a player attempt the first shot in nine games and make the first basket in seven. Gabby Williams is among the league leaders, attempting the first shot in four games and making the first basket in three.

My Wings vs. Valkyries WNBA First Basket Prop Bets

• Gabby Williams (+600, FanDuel)
• Paige Bueckers (+600, FanDuel)

My gut tells me to go with Bueckers because the Wings have a higher-rated offense, and she’s done it four times. Either player is a solid choice, but if you want to go with just one, I’d roll with Williams.

Why?

Bueckers and Dallas are great, but Golden State ranks No. 4 in defensive rating and offensive rating at home. The Wings play well on the offensive end on the road (No. 5 in offensive rating). Their defensive rating, however, comes in at No. 13. Dallas/Bueckers could make the first basket if they win the opening tip. But if they don't, Williams is the best bet, since the Wings tend to struggle on the defensive end on the road.

WNBA Player Props: Minnesota Lynx vs. Los Angeles Sparks

This is another one that caught me by surprise once I started to look into it. Here we have the Minnesota Lynx, the team with the best record in the WNBA. They also have the No. 1 rated defense and the No. 3 rated offense. Surely, a team playing basketball as well as they are will be killing it when it comes to First Basket stats. Right?

Nope.

Four players, led by Nia Coffey with two, have combined to attempt the first basket in a game five times. But a Minnesota player has made the first basket in a game just three times (Coffey twice and Natasha Howard once).

As for the Sparks, they’ve had a player attempt the first basket in six games and make the first basket in seven. You’d think the team’s superstar and offensive powerhouse, Kelsey Plum, would be the one leading the way, but she isn’t. Plum has attempted the first shot and made the first basket once.

Nneka Ogwumike has attempted the first shot three times and made the first basket in four, including three of the last six games.

My Lynx vs. Sparks WNBA First Basket Prop Bets

• Nneka Ogwumike (+500, FanDuel)

There is no sense in even thinking about betting on a Minnesota player. It’s been seven games since the Lynx have made the first basket in a game. With her track record, Ogwumike is an obvious choice.