The longest active win streak in the NBA belongs to the Los Angeles Clippers, and their pursuit of a seventh straight victory is one of today’s must-see matchups.
The Clippers face the Boston Celtics in tonight’s late tip, but there are also tasty NBA player props earlier on the schedule, including an Eastern Conference showdown between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.
After reviewing the full slate, here are my top three NBA picks for Saturday, January 3.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Kevin Durant |
Over 24.5 points | -115 |
 Jalen Johnson |
Over 24.5 points | -110 |
 Derrick White |
Over 27.5 points + rebounds + assists | -115 |
Prop #1: Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points
Even this late in his NBA career, Kevin Durant is still a smooth operator — and he’s been a key cog in the Houston Rockets’ four-game win streak.
The Rockets have scored 117+ points in each of those outings, and Durant is coming off a red-hot December, where he averaged 26.6 ppg and shot 49% from 3-point range.
Tonight’s Battle of Texas against the Dallas Mavericks presents another opportunity for KD to flex his muscles, with the Mavs on a four-game skid.
Durant has gone past this point's prop Over/Under number in six of his past nine contests, including back-to-back 30-point masterpieces against the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
With Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson both capable of carrying the offense for stretches, KD can pick his spots, and the results speak for themselves. He’s shot 50% or better from the field in eight of the last nine games.
That trend should continue here with Dallas reeling. Anthony Davis and Co. have given up 119+ points in six of their last seven matchups, and Durant can get his jumper off against anyone.
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: KFAA-TV, Space City Home Network
Prop #2: Jalen Johnson Over 24.5 points
We could be heading towards the end of the Trae Young era in Atlanta.
It’s been a rollercoaster season for the Atlanta Hawks, but Young’s return from injury in mid-December coincided with five straight losses, and it’s surely time to think long and hard about handing the keys to Jalen Johnson instead.
Johnson has shown he’s ready for the extra responsibility, and I’m taking the Over on his points prop tonight against the Toronto Raptors. He nailed this prop with 34 points in Wednesday’s much-needed win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, and his scoring average has inched up each month this season, reaching 25.8 ppg in December.
Even if Young and Kristaps Porzingis are both available for Atlanta, I still see Johnson maintaining that kind of production, especially against a Raptors team that’s been erratic defensively.
Toronto usually looks more at sea at that end of the court without Jakob Poeltl, and his absence tonight should open more driving lanes for Johnson, who’s at his best when he’s attacking the rim.
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, The Sports Network
Prop #3: Derrick White Over 27.5 points + rebounds + assists
Naturally, the spotlight will be on Kawhi Leonard in tonight’s Los Angeles Clippers-Boston Celtics battle after his recent scoring binge, but I prefer the value of this combo prop for Boston’s Mr. Reliable.
Derrick White has helped steer the Celtics to a 7-3 mark in their last 10 games, and he’s a threat to fill the box score here.
White has cleared this O/U number in four of his last five contests — and 10 of his past 13 outings. He also finished with a 22-7-9 stat line when these teams met in November.
There’s such consistency with everything White does, and that lends itself to prop picks. He’s racked up 5+ rebounds in seven of his last eight games, and 5+ assists in six of his previous seven contests.
But his scoring is still the essential ingredient for this Over, and White came through with 22.3 ppg in December.
This matchup will really test L.A.’s impressive revival, and while Ivica Zubac is set to return, there are defensive weak spots for Boston to attack.
White can attack James Harden and Brook Lopez in the pick and roll, and he takes enough 3-pointers to cash this pick.
- Time: 10:33 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBC Boston, FanDuel Sports Network SoCal
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