There are only five games on the NBA schedule this Saturday but there are still plenty of betting options thanks to player props.
Today I'm backing a healthy Wendell Carter Jr., expecting DeMar DeRozan to drop dimes, and betting on some mistakes from LeBron James as he looks to keep carrying the Lakers. Here are my best free NBA player prop picks for January 7.
NBA player props for January 7
Picks made on 1/7/2023 at 12:45 p.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Today’s best NBA player props
The odds widgets below represent the best odds currently available for each betting market at regulated sportsbooks.
Tha Carter
Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. was having a breakout season before being sidelined by a plantar fascia injury for more than a month. Carter was averaging 18.8 points per game in 33.4 minutes per game in eight contests in November before winding up on the IL.
He returned to the team on December 23 but was eased back into the lineup with 19 minutes in each of his first two games. That ramped up to 24 minutes against Detroit on December 28 and now it looks like he's back to a full workload with 30 minutes in his last two games.
Carter is coming off a strong performance on Thursday against the Grizzlies when he dropped 18 points on 7-12 shooting and he'll look to take advantage of a defensively soft Golden State team tonight.
The Warriors play at the fastest pace in the league and rank 27th in scoring defense with 117.6 ppg allowed. They've been especially vulnerable inside lately and have given up 57.3 points per game in the paint over their last three contests. Take the Over 14.5 on Carter's points total.
Wendell Carter Jr. Prop: Over 14.5 points (-120)
Demar's dishes
It's no surprise that DeMar DeRozan leads the Bulls in scoring but he has also been Chicago's best passer with Lonzo Ball still rehabbing following knee surgery.
DeRozan leads the team with 4.9 assists per game, and we saw how important his facilitating is last night when he scored just 12 points but dropped six dimes in a 126-112 win against the 76ers.
The O/U on DeRozan's assists total today is set at 4.5, a number he has eclipsed in eight of his last 11 games, and he's averaging 5.5 apg during that stretch.
Today, the Bulls are hosting a Jazz team that's 22nd in the league in scoring defense with 116.5 ppg, and that number ticking up to 118.9 ppg over their last 10 games. Expect another impressive passing night from DeRozan and take the Over on his assists.
DeMar DeRozan Prop: Over 4.5 assists (-113)
King against Kings
With Anthony Davis sidelined by a foot injury, LeBron James is putting the Lakers on his back. The Lakers have won four in a row (including three straight with King James) and he's been filling up the hoop with 34 ppg since Davis was injured on December 16.
That heavy usage rate combined with LeBron trying to do too much has resulted in plenty of miscues as well. James turned over the ball five times against the Hawks last night and he has had at least four turnovers in four of his last five games (averaging 4.6 TO per game over that span).
With the Over 3.5 turnovers for James paying out at plus money, grab it.
LeBron James Prop: Over 3.5 turnovers (+135)
