Luka Doncic is no stranger to being the headline act, and his second return visit to Dallas is the standout contest on today’s seven-game hoops schedule.
While Doncic will get nothing but love from the Mavs fans, expect chippier atmospheres elsewhere on the slate, including the latest installment of the New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers rivalry.
My favorite NBA picks for the January 24 action include another dose of Luka magic and a big night for Evan Mobley.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Luka Doncic |
Over 33.5 points | -115 |
 Evan Mobley |
Over 26.5 points + rebounds | -112 |
 Keyonte George |
Over 30.5 points + assists | -120 |
Prop #1: Luka Doncic Over 33.5 points
The post-trade emotions were still raw for Luka Doncic’s first game in Dallas as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Look for less tension in the air tonight – after all, Nico Harrison won’t be lurking in the tunnel – but I still expect Luka to put on a show.
Doncic continues to lead the NBA in scoring at 33.4 PPG, and he’s gone past this O/U points prop in six of his 11 outings this month. Once you layer on a few extra shots in a game that’ll mean a lot to him, the Over feels like a strong play – and we saw that when he returned to American Airlines Center back in April and made 16 of his 28 shots to finish with 45 points.
Luka dropped 38 points on the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, and he’s posting huge totals despite only shooting 33% from downtown this year. Even so, he’s knocked down 3+ triples in five straight outings.
The Lakers are just 4-6 in their last 10 games, and they’ll need Doncic to ball out against a Mavericks team that’s won four in a row. In an arena he knows so well, Luka will be up to the task.
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ABC
Prop #2: Evan Mobley Over 26.5 points + rebounds
The Cleveland Cavaliers finally seem to be turning a corner in an underwhelming season. They’ve won four of their last five games, and Evan Mobley has stuffed the stat sheet in back-to-back outings, including a 29-point, 13-rebound effort against the Sacramento Kings last night.
That’s the level of production that Cleveland needs to climb further in the East standings, and I like this Mobley combo prop here as the Cavs host the Orlando Magic, especially with Darius Garland sidelined again with a toe injury. When Donovan Mitchell gets bottled up on the perimeter, Mobley has to embrace being the No. 2 option.
Just don’t let his dreadful three-point numbers put you off. Mobley has regressed from beyond the arc this season, but he’s shooting 56% overall in January and his two-point game continues to be solid.
While he’s averaging a respectable 8.8 RPG this year, he’s capable of even more, as we’ve seen this week. Don’t be surprised if he chips in with a third straight double-digit haul on the boards against the Orlando frontcourt.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network-Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network-Florida
Prop #3: Keyonte George Over 30.5 points + assists
The Utah Jazz appear comfortable sinking in the Western Conference standings while still getting an extended look at their young core, and Keyonte George’s development is the most promising sign for Will Hardy’s squad.
George is putting together a terrific third NBA season, averaging 24.4 PPG and 6.7 APG, and he’ll have every opportunity to pad those numbers tonight against the banged-up Miami Heat, who’ll be without Kel’el Ware, Tyler Herro and perhaps more of their usual rotation.
He’s gone past this combo prop number in three of his last four games, headlined by a 43-point explosion in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he’s going to have the ball in his hands a lot here, particularly if the illnesses for Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic keep them off the court.
George is having a steady season from downtown, making his three-pointers at a 38% clip, and the up-tempo Heat should provide extra possessions for offensive numbers. He’s carrying a heavy burden for the Jazz on that end of the floor, but I’m banking on another eye-catching stat line tonight.
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network-SU, KJZZ
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