It’s a light night of hoops action with just four games on the NBA odds board, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of betting value to be found in the NBA player props markets.
I’ve found my three favorite for today. All plus money props, highlighted by a pair of guards who will be putting in work on the boards tonight.
Those and more NBA picks for Thursday, January 8 below.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 LaMelo Ball |
Over 4.5 rebounds | +115 |
 Coby White |
Over 3.5 rebounds | +115 |
 Daniel Gafford |
Double-Double | +350 |
Prop #1: LaMelo Ball Over 4.5 rebounds
The Indiana Pacers visit the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night, in a matchup only an NBA bettor could love.
The six-win Pacers have numerous issues, but one of their biggest is cleaning the glass. Indiana has the second-worst rebounding rate while surrendering the third-most rebounds opponent rebounds per game.
And rebounding is one of the things the Hornets are best at. Buzz City ranks second in rebounding rate, which means we’re targeting a Hornets player for a rebounding prop here.
Let’s go with LaMelo Ball. Charlotte’s point guard is averaging 5.1 rebounds per game and has a rebounding prop of 4.5 with the Over at plus money.
He’s also topped that number in three of his last five games overall, and in the only other meeting between these two teams this season.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FDSN IN, FDSN SE-CHA
Prop #2: Coby White Over 3.5 rebounds
The Miami Heat are an interesting team to fade when it comes to opposing rebounding player props.
Not necessarily because they are a bad rebounding team (they aren’t great), but because their high tempo means a ton of shots, and in turn lots of rebounds up for grabs.
The Heat play at the highest pace and take the most shots in the NBA. Mix that with ranking 20th in rebounding rate, and they allow the third-most opponent rebounds per game.
Chicago Bulls’ guard Coby White should be back tonight after sitting out the first half of a back-to-back due to load management.
White averages 3.9 rebounds per game over his last full 10 games played, eclipsing the 3.5 mark six times. At plus money, White is a great bet to do it again tonight.
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBA TV
Prop #3: Daniel Gafford double-double
The Dallas Mavericks have gone big lately, inserting Daniel Gafford in the starting lineup alongside Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg. And he even started when PJ Washington was healthy.
Heading into tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz, Washington is still nursing an injury, so expect Gafford to keep running with the starters. And the big move has worked.
He’s averaging 11.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game over four starts since the Mavs made the big switch.
The Jazz are arguably the worst defensive team in the NBA, ranking dead-last in defensive rating and giving up the most points per game to opposing centers. They also rank 20th in opponent rebounds per game.
Gafford has just three double-doubles this season. Two of them have come in the last four games he has started. At +350, sign me up for another one.
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: KFAA, KJZZ
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