Key Points
- SJ breaks down her three best player prop bets for the January 23 NBA matchups
The NBA is back today after an exciting slate of matchups last night! With nine games on the schedule, bettors have been blessed with a primetime Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers showdown on TNT. In addition, several key games, especially in the Western Conference, are worth watching. Most important of all, there's a matchup between the Spurs and Pacers to take place in Paris this afternoon!

(Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Below is the NBA schedule and FanDuel odds for Thursday, January 23:
- San Antonio Spurs (+128 ML) @ Indiana Pacers (-152 ML): O/U 230 (Location: Paris, France)
- Portland Trail Blazers (+300 ML) @ Orlando Magic (-375 ML): O/U 212
- Miami Heat (+235 ML) @ Milwaukee Bucks (-290 ML): O/U 226
- Toronto Raptors (+150 ML) @ Atlanta Hawks (-178 ML): O/U 233.5
- Dallas Mavericks (+530 ML) @ OKC Thunder (-750 ML): O/U 221
- Sacramento Kings (+270 ML) @ Denver Nuggets (-325 ML): O/U 241.5
- Boston Celtics (-200 ML) @ LA Lakers (+168 ML): O/U 219
- Chicago Bulls (+100 ML) @ Golden State Warriors (-118 ML): O/U 229
- Washington Wizards (+660 ML) @ LA Clippers (-1000 ML): O/U 223.5
If you're reading this article and looking to bet on the NBA, you've come to the right place! I am up over 7.0 units in January, including a 22-14 NBA betting record. Although you can parlay these picks, I placed them all as straight bets in FanDuel Sportsbook.
Here are my top three player prop bets and best predictions for the NBA today!
Are you looking to bet on NBA player props all season long? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here.
NBA Props For Thursday, January 23
NBA Player Prop Bet #1: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 2024-2025 Season Stats
G: 43 | PPG: 9.3 | FG: 42 % | FT: 92.1 % | 3PT : 31.8 % | REB: 1.9 | AST: 2.0 | STL: 1.6| BLK: 0.6
- Over 1.5 Made Threes (-135 FanDuel)
My first best player prop bet for today, I placed one unit on Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP) to record over 1.5 made threes vs. the Portland Trail Blazers.
After jumping ship from the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, Caldwell-Pope has landed himself a steady starting role for Jamahl Mosley and the Orlando Magic.
Notoriously known as one of the best sharpshooters in the NBA, there's no doubt Caldwell-Pope has regressed a bit beyond the arc. Yes, a 31.8 three-point percentage is vastly different compared to last year's 40.6 percent.
Is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope One Of The Best Sharpshooters In The NBA?
However, I go by the old saying "shooters are going to shoot." While still maintaining an adequate usage, KCP has been stellar beyond the arc, especially the last ten games.
Averaging 10.7 points per game over the span, the Magic guard has been shooting at a high clip from three (37 %). After a disastrous shooting month in December, Caldwell Pope has regained his shooting form.
- Shooting over 40 percent from three in January, I'm all in on this player prop today.
Although the Magic are in the midst of a six game losing streak, I'm highly encouraged by the guards last performance on Tuesday. Tallying 20 points, Caldwell-Pope matched a season high 37 minutes on the court, popping in 2-5 from three-point range. With an an opportunity to gain some extra time with Cole Anthony out, KCP knocked out a deep ball in the first quarter alone.
Giving up a 21 point lead gave him the extra opportunity to sink in a step back three-pointer in the fourth quarter. Heading into today's game, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is normally a player seen draining three pointers from the corner.
- Attempting the most deep shots from above the break 3, his highest percentage comes from the right corner (38.7 %).
The Portland Trail Blazers Struggle To Defend Against Three-Point Shots
Now he gets the Trail Blazers, who will face the Magic on the road. Although both teams are coming off one days rest, Portland's weakness is guarding the perimeter, which they allow the second highest three-point percentage in the NBA behind the Brooklyn Nets (37.7 %).
This is a great spot for KCP, who will face a Portland team who allows the 3rd highest three-point percentage to guards. If Anfernee Simons is unable to lace up, that leaves the backcourt even thinner for the Trail Blazers.
After all, this is a Portland team that recently allowed Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson to splash 6-12 from deep. Even in their 113-107 victory over the Bulls, Chicago star Zach LaVine managed to finish 2-7 from three-point range,.
Overall, the odds are a bit juiced at -135, however, there's still great value there. Over the last week, Jalen Green (4), Norman Powell (3), D'Angelo Russell (3), and Tyler Herro (7) have all soared over three-point prop lines vs Portland.
- Although KCP has yet to face Portland with his new team, he's tallied 5 three-pointers against them, dating back to early 2024.
Final NBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Over 1.5 Threes Made (-135 FanDuel)
Although Caldwell-Popes shot volume has been a bit volatile over the last month, he's coming off back-to-back 12+ field goal attempt performances. Logging an average of 36 minutes over the last two games, KCP has attempted 5+ three-pointers in back-to-back games.
- One of my best prop bets and predictions for today, I'm going with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to record over 1.5 three-pointers made. Making six three pointers over the last four games, he gets a prime matchup with Portland.

NBA Player Prop Bet #2: Myles Turner
Myles Turner 2024-2025 Season Stats
G: 40 | PPG: 15.5 | FG: 49 % | FT: 73.9 % | 3PT : 40.4 % | REB: 7.1 | AST: 1.5 | STL: 0.8 BLK: 2.0
- Over 14.5 Points (-118 FanDuel)
My second best player prop bet for today, I placed one unit on Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner to record over 14.5 points vs the San Antonio Spurs.
Although the Pacers started off the season on a cold streak, they are 8-2 in the last 10 games, thanks to some hefty performances by Turner.
Turner is not the Pacers leading scorer, or the second. In fact, Turner is the fourth option behind Siakam, Haliburton, and Mathurin.
Although Turner's point production has dipped due to increased talent around him, he's never shot better from the three-point line.
- Arguably the Pacers leading three-point shooter, Turner is averaging career-highs in three-point percentage (40.4 %) and three point attempts.
One of the best centers to stretch the floor in the NBA, we've seen Turner bounce back from a tumultuous December. Shooting well over 44 percent from deep in January, Turner is shooting over 56 percent from deep over the last two games.
In fact, bettors have seen an uptick in Turner's three-point production rapidly. With 16 trey ball attempts alone vs the 76ers and Pistons, he led all Pacers in field goal attempts last game.
Better yet, Turner is still averaging 30.5 minutes this month, and that's with the Pacers near full health.
- I do believe this line is set too low, especially given Turner is putting up 17.5 points per game in January. As a result, bettors have seen a massive increase in both field goal and three-point attempts.
The Spurs Struggle To Contain Centers
Is Turner going to be a consistent 40 point scorer every night? No. However, we saw the the center have his highest scoring game since November with 28 vs the Pistons. Becoming more consistent in production, I would say Turner should easily clear prop this line today.
Here's a fun fact. Turner has only dipped below 14.5 points in three of his last ten matchups, and has four consistent outings of 15+ points. Averaging 19.5 points in the last four games, Turner faces a Spurs team in which he's historically performed well against.
- Eclipsing the 15+ point mark in three of the last four head-t0-head matchups, the Spurs are a raw, up and coming team.
Even with Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs could improve on the defensive end. Allowing the second most points to centers (28.4), this is a prime matchup for Turner.
In the last few weeks, bettors have seen Kel'el Ware (25), Brook Lopez (22), Nikola Vucevic (24), and Nikola Jokic (45) all cook up against the Spurs.
- That's 29 unanswered points from centers alone.
Final NBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Myles Turner Over 14.5 Points (-118 FanDuel)
With this point prop, I would be okay even taking the over 1.5 three point prop line. Although he has the size disadvantage against Wembanyama, I expect a majority of his points to come from the three-point line alone.
Putting up 15 and 16 points against the Spurs last year, I'm loving this line tonight. Even with Wemby front and center, the Spurs give up the 10th most points in the paint (49).
- With that said, I'm taking Myles Turner to score over 14.5 points tonight. The line is simply too low.

NBA Player Prop Bet #3: Derrick White
Derrick White 2024-2025 Season Stats
G:42 | PPG: 16.1 | FG: 43.6 % | FT: 83.3 % | 3PT : 37 % | REB: 4.4 | AST: 4.1 | STL: 0.9 | BLK: 1.2
- Over 3.5 Assists (-110 FanDuel)
My third best player prop for today, I placed one unit on Celtics guard Derrick White to record over 3.5 assists vs the Lakers.
On the second leg of a back-to-back, Jrue Holiday remains questionable after missing last night's matchup with a shoulder injury. In that case, I love White's assist line today.
Although inconsistent production wise, the Celtics have a ton of playmakers. Sure, that includes Holiday, Pritchard, and White, but that also includes Jayson Tatum.
While I've sworn to never take a Derrick White assist prop line again, here I am. This time, the guard has nine dimes in the last two games.
- Let's look at the big picture here. If Holiday is unable to suit up, this is a no brainer for White. Clearing the 3.5 assist line in 9/10 last games without Holiday, he's averaging 6.5 dimes in that span.
With or without Holiday, we all know how well the Celtics play when they move the rock fluidly. With that said White has 17 total assists in the last two head-to-head matchups vs the Lakers.
The Lakers are certainly contenders this year at 23-18. In a high stakes rival game, the Celtics must move the ball. There's no question Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics to 117-113 victory over the Clippers last night.
- With White tallying 4 assists, Brown and Tatum combined for 49 points alone.
Final NBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Derrick White Over 3.5 Assists (-110 FanDuel)
When we look at the stats, Whites most assisted field goal attempts come from Tatum (5.8) and Brown (4.0) this season. While Tatum has gone cold from the floor, he's a player that will continue to get buckets with high shooting volume. As long as those two players continue to produce, White should roll over the assists line.
Overall, the stats say White should soar under this line. However, averaging 6.3 dimes vs the Lakers over the last three matchups, I'm not fading this.
The Lakers allow the 6th most assists in the NBA at 27.8, which includes guards. Guards alone are averaging 7.5 dimes vs the Lakers this season.
- For the value at -110 odds, I'm taking Derrick White to record over 3.5 assists.