Saturday's nine-game NBA schedule offers a plethora of prop betting opportunities.
I’ve sorted through the betting markets and selected my top player props for all of the action.
Read more in my NBA picks for January 17.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Cade Cunningham |
Over 9.5 assists | +102 |
 Kyshawn George |
Over 14.5 points | -112 |
 LaMelo Ball |
Over 18.5 points | -120 |
Prop #1: Cade Cunningham Over 9.5 assists
The Detroit Pistons have built a 4.5-game lead at the top of the East, and Cade Cunningham continues to play like an All-Star. Despite a wrist issue, I expect him to put up big numbers again tonight against the Indiana Pacers.
His assists prop is the one that really stands out to me here, with Cade serving up 11+ dimes in four of his last five games. He’s got options inside and outside, from Jalen Duren as a lob threat to a red-hot Duncan Robinson beyond the arc, and it’ll just come down to making the right reads.
Cunningham has passed those kinds of tests all season, and there’s a steadiness with his playmaking. He averaged 10.1 APG in December, and he’s inched that number up so far this month.
The Pacers arrive in Motor City on the second night of a back-to-back set, and Cade should be able to cut through an Indiana defense that allowed the lowly New Orleans Pelicans to shoot 50% from the field yesterday.
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, FanDuel Sports Network Indiana
Prop #2: Kyshawn George Over 14.5 points
It’s the banged-up Washington Wizards against the banged-up Denver Nuggets here, but that opens the door for big performances from the healthy players on the two rosters.
That’s part of the case for Kyshawn George, who’s taken big strides in his second NBA season, and he’s getting every chance to spread his wings as the Wizards look towards the lottery.
George has scored 15+ points in four of his last five contests, including a 23-point effort against the Los Angeles Clippers last week, and this is a nice spot for him against a Denver team that will be without Christian Braun’s gritty defense.
He’s served up some erratic nights from 3-point range, but he’s making his triples at a 39% clip overall this year, and Washington needs him to stay aggressive as a shooter after trading away CJ McCollum.
The Wizards don’t appear to be in a big hurry to get new addition Trae Young on the court, and that means more touches for George, Alex Sarr, and the rest of the team’s young core.
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Altitude Sports, Monumental Sports Network
Prop #3: LaMelo Ball Over 18.5 points
As frustrating as the LaMelo Ball experience can be at times, the 15-26 Charlotte Hornets have beaten the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder this month.
They’ve also got the upside to trouble the Golden State Warriors tonight, and that starts with Ball delivering another impressive stat line. LaMelo dropped 30 points on the Lakers on Thursday, including nine 3-pointers, and he’s gone past this number in three of his past four games.
Ball finished with 25 points in his one outing against the Warriors last season, and I’m wagering on him embracing the challenge of going head-to-head with Steph Curry here.
Volume shouldn’t be an issue. LaMelo has jacked up 20+ shots in four of his last five games, so while the efficiency may not be great, he’ll have every opportunity to nail this Over.
Ultimately, this pick may come down to Ball’s 3-point stroke. He’s 24-for-54 from downtown in his last four games, and that’s a shot he should be able to get with ease here.
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, NBC Sports Bay Area
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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