A six-game Saturday slate brings the top of the East into sharper focus, with the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers both in action.
We’ll also get a pulse check on a few scuffling Western Conference teams, including the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns. Read on for my favorite NBA player props and NBA picks for the January 18 schedule.
Best NBA player props today
Eric Gordon Over 9.5 points (-105 at bet365) 
Trayce Jackson-Davis Over 9.5 rebounds (-110 at bet365) 
Darius Garland Over 28.5 points + assists (-110 at bet365)
Picks made on 1-18 at 11:44 a.m. ET.
NBA player props for January 18
Prop bet #1: Eric Gordon Over 9.5 points
When Eric Gordon signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, the pitch likely centered around the chance to spot up for wide-open 3-pointers around the core trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. In reality, the 76ers’ season has looked nothing like that.
But Gordon has stayed ready, and Nick Nurse is going to need to count on the veteran sharpshooter tonight against the Indiana Pacers. Embiid, Kyle Lowry, and Caleb Martin have all been ruled out, while Paul George, Guerschon Yabusele, and Andre Drummond are listed as questionable.
That leaves Philadelphia short on options. I’m taking the Over on the Gordon points prop here, with the potential for an expanded role against an Indiana defense that ranks in the league's bottom half in opponent field goal percentage.
Gordon has gone past this 9.5 O/U line in four of his last five games, including 14 points against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, and he’s knocked down nine of his past 16 attempts from downtown.
With Maxey drawing a crowd, I expect some good perimeter looks for the 76ers’ shooters tonight – and Gordon is rarely shy about hoisting 3-pointers.
Prop bet #2: Trayce Jackson-Davis Over 9.5 rebounds
The Golden State Warriors have stumbled their way to a 20-20 record as we hit the halfway point in the season, but Wednesday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves was a good step forward. While Steph Curry grabbed the headlines with 31 points, Trayce Jackson-Davis’ work on the glass also stood out in the box score.
Jackson-Davis finished with 15 rebounds in just 27 minutes of action for his third double-digit tally in his last four contests – and I’m picking him to get there again tonight.
The Warriors face a Washington Wizards team here that pairs a Top 10 position in field-goal attempts per game with the fourth-worst field-goal percentage in the NBA. In short, the Wizards are a rebounder’s dream.
Golden State also has injury worries to consider. Jonathan Kuminga and Kyle Anderson are out, while Draymond Green is questionable. That should mean another healthy workload for Jackson-Davis, and I see Steve Kerr leaning on his athleticism against a young Washington frontcourt.
Even with some blowout potential, I like this price for Jackson-Davis to dominate the boards and lead the Warriors in rebounds again.
Prop bet #3: Darius Garland Over 28.5 points + assists
It feels like nitpicking to flag any concerns for the Cleveland Cavaliers amid this 34-6 start, but there will be a little more scrutiny tonight after losing two of their last three contests, including a rout at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That won’t shake these Cavs, though, and I’m picking Darius Garland to set the tone here as they face a Minnesota Timberwolves team that’s on the second night of a back-to-back set.
Garland was one of the few bright spots in Thursday’s loss to the Thunder, ending up with 20 points and nine assists, and I’m predicting a similar stat line at Target Center. He’s averaging 23.3 PPG and 7.1 APG in January, and he’s cleared this 28.5 combo prop line in three of his last four outings.
Donovan Mitchell typically draws the opposition’s best perimeter defender, so he’ll get the Jaden McDaniels shadow here, and that paves the way for Garland to be aggressive in his own matchup.
His playmaking provides a nice floor for this pick – seven or more dimes in 10 of his last 11 games – and I’m banking on Garland to bounce back from 3-point range after going 6-for-21 across his past three contests.
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NBA odds today
Here are the full NBA odds for all of today’s matchups.
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