NBA Player Prop Bet Picks & Predictions: Thursday (1/2)
Happy New Year! As we turn the page to 2025, I hope all your resolutions happen and you find big wins in the New Year. It's always interesting this time of year in life and work but we still have the NBA to bet on, which means life is good. It's been a great season, and I hope we continue that trend tonight.
As always, monitor injury news and lineup announcements. The best way to stay sharp regarding NBA player props is by staying on top of the news. The second-best way is to shop around at different sportsbooks. Player props rarely have identical odds across platforms, so make sure you're getting the best value. Let's get to it.
Unless specified otherwise, each bet will be for a single unit.
Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>
Thursday’s Best NBA Player Prop Bets
Last Time: 2-1 | Season: 73-51
Jrue Holiday Over 17.5 Points + Assists + Rebounds (-115 at BetMGM)
After an injury sidelined him for a bit, Jrue Holiday is off the injury report and back in action at what should be a full-go but this prop isn't exactly priced as such. The Boston guard has averaged 14 points, four boards and nearly four assists a game.
I get that Minnesota is a pace-down spot with a solid defense but this prop shouldn't be so low. The Celtics have already been banged up with Jaylen Brown on the injury report and Minnesota has been friendly to opposing shooting guards. I project Holiday closer to 19 on this combo prop, so I am willing to lay some of the juice.
Norman Powell Under 25.5 Points + Assists (-120 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
In a game Oklahoma City is favored by double-digits with a 219 total, there won’t be much to go around for Norman Powell and Co. The Clippers guard has averaged higher scoring numbers over the past few weeks, which has caused his prop to follow, but he is due for some regression, which I expect to see tonight in this matchup.
The Thunder have the best-ranked defense in the league and should limit Powell and all of the Clippers’ scoring. I project Powell closer to 20 on this combo prop and am quite confused by the disparity in projections versus the prop line. But I'm not questioning it too much against the best defense in the league and am riding the under.
Cameron Johnson Under 20.5 Points + Assists (-125 at ESPN Bet)
The number is set at 20.5 but feel free to bet some alt unders with Cameron Johnson's prop with Brooklyn a 14-point underdog at Milwaukee. The Bucks have allowed the fifth-fewest points to opposing power forwards and the Nets’ power forward is projected for 17, according to the BettingPros Prop Bet Cheat Sheet.
The Sheet is my single favorite tool for any type of betting need you may have and is a big reason why I've had such a hot year. Johnson's splits are much worse on the road, so I'm happy to dive in on his unders and fade the Nets' scoring overall.
Ryan Coleman is a featured writer at BettingPros. Follow him on Twitter @ryancoleman_98. For more from Ryan, check out his archive.