Welcome to our official NBA pick-em article for 1/5/23! Today’s slate may be small, but we have some exciting player props and a straight bet to share with you. Despite a tough 1-2 (-1.32u) outing yesterday, we’re staying positive and focusing on today’s action. Keep reading to find out my top three picks for the Thursday, January 5th NBA Slate.
Houston Rockets +6.5
The Houston Rockets are at home tonight against the Utah Jazz. Both teams come into this one with a five game losing streak and tonight someone is getting their first win in their sixth chance. The Rockets have been an underdog of 5-7 points this season ten times, and in those ten games the Rockets are 6-4 ATS in those games. Utah is 1-4 ATS in their last five games against the Rockets. Both Houston and Utah are 1-4 ATS in their last five games as well. I think the Rockets are getting the job done tonight covering the spread. We are looking at the Jazz getting 66% of the bets and 78% of the money. This is a easy cash to end the night.
Paolo Banchero Over 30.5 Points+Rebounds+Assists -127
Paolo Banchero is currently the front-runner for rookie of the year. In his rookie campaign so far he is averaging 21 points per game to go along with 6.7 rebounds per game and 4 assists per game. The line for this is 30.5 which is an easy hit. Banchero in his last two games have hit that number easily. Banchero has played ten games against the Western Conference this season and in those games, he is averaging 21.1 points per game to go along with 7.8 rebounds per game and 3.6 assists per game. I think Paolo is going to have a good game tonight against Jaren Jackson Jr and the Memphis Grizzlies. Ride the over for his points+rebounds+assists.
Jaylen Brown Over 35.5 Points+Rebs+Asts -129
The Boston Celtics head to Dallas tonight to take on the Mavericks and there is one player prop that I absolutely love. That prop is the over for Jaylen Brown’s points+rebounds+assists. In road games in 2022/2023, Brown averages 25.5 points per game to go along with 7.4 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game. Jaylen is an efficient scorer and has 20 or more points in 16 out of his 17 games that he has played away from home. The Mavericks’ defensive team will be locked in on Jayson Tatum. That will lead Jaylen Brown to getting open and it will lead to his over hitting easily. Look for the Celtics to have a good night overall, but see Jaylen’s numbers be tremendous and hit the over for his player prop easily.