Happy New Year! We’re breaking down everything you need to know before you make any NBA bets or set your DFS lineups. All that and more in our NBA Betting Cheat Sheet today – Thursday, January 8th, featuring the best free player prop bets and pick’em plays.
Editor’s Note: Did you know DFS pick’em apps like Underdog and Sleeper are live in many states where online sports betting isn’t yet legal? Use promo code PROPS when signing up to get started!
We’re talking the best game environments where points will be flying, the hottest NBA injury news that’s moving lines and opening up value, and the best expert player prop picks for tonight’s action.
Best DFS Apps in All States
NBA Betting Cheat Sheet Today – Thursday, January 8th
Our NBA betting cheat sheet is your one-stop snapshot to cut through the noise and zero in on where the edges actually are. Our team is here to break it down. Let’s get into it.
Here are some popular NBA player props on Underdog:
NBA Odds For Thursday, January 8th
Let’s take a quick glance at all of the NBA betting odds today (subject to change):
Indiana Pacers (6-31) @ Charlotte Hornets (13-24) – 7:00 PM
- Spread: CHA -3.5 (-112) / IND +3.5 (-108)
- Total: O/U 232.5 (-112/-108)
- Moneyline: IND +130 / CHA -155
Miami Heat (20-17) @ Chicago Bulls (17-20) – 8:00 PM
- Spread: MIA -7.5 (-110) / CHI +7.5 (-110)
- Total: O/U 237.5 (-110/-110)
- Moneyline: MIA -278 / CHI +225
Cleveland Cavaliers (21-17) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (24-13) – 8:00 PM
- Spread: MIN -2.5 (-108) / CLE +2.5 (-112)
- Total: O/U 238.5 (-105/-115)
- Moneyline: CLE +114 / MIN -135
Dallas Mavericks (14-23) @ Utah Jazz (12-24) – 9:00 PM
- Spread: DAL -6.5 (-105) / UTA +6.5 (-115)
- Total: O/U 240.5 (-112/-108)
- Moneyline: DAL -245 / UTA +200
TOP NBA DFS GAMES TODAY
Which games are shaping up to be DFS and sports betting goldmines? Let’s look at the main slate.
We have a 4-game slate, and all of them are integral for DFS purposes.
- IND vs CHA: Without Jackson and Mathruin, Jay Huff could see major run again (if he starts), and Pascal Siakam should see big volume. Any of the guards could pop off
- MIA vs CHI: Two teams that play extremely fast, and Josh Giddey remains out for Chicago, creating other opportunities
- CLE vs MIN: A clash between two playoff-bound teams, where the big-game chasers could bring their best stuff (Edwards, Mitchell)
- UTA vs DAL: Utah plays extremely fast, and neither team plays much defense. Healthy 240.5 total
Check out more of our NBA player props content for the 2025 season. As always, it’s 100% FREE:
- First Basket Predictions
- NBA Betting Hub (Game Predictions & More)
- Key Stats To Know: NBA Betting
- Daily Promo Roundup
NBA Injuries For Thursday, Jan. 8th
Injuries are a big part of any NBA betting cheat sheet.
Check out some NBA injuries today via Underdog (as of Thursday afternoon):
UPDATE: LaMelo Ball is going off the bench for Charlotte; Darius Garland WILL play for Cleveland.
Key news to watch (status as of 3:10 ET)
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) January 8, 2026
Questionable:
Anthony Edwards, Darius Garland, Andrew Nembhard, Ace Bailey, Jusuf Nurkic, Kevin Huerter
Probable:
LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Jaylon Tyson
Doubtful:
PJ Washington pic.twitter.com/4Fp1c47KsX
NBA Live Player Prop Odds
- MLB
- NFL
- Points
- Rebounds
- Assists
- Points + Rebounds
- Points + Assists
- Rebounds + Assists
- Points + Rebounds + Assists
- Steals
- Blocks
- Steals + Blocks
- Turnovers
- Double-Double
- Triple-Double
- Time
- Player
Free NBA DFS Picks Cheat Sheet For Today
Our NBA betting cheat sheet today is ready to roll!
Let’s break it down.
BEST POINTS PROP
NBA Player Prop: Pascal Siakam > 25.5 Points
Justin Carlucci wrote about Pascal Siakam at our best NBA props page. Check out his full analysis and more free picks!
BEST REBOUNDS PROP
NBA Player Prop: Jusuf Nurkic > 9.5 Rebounds
Dallas gives up a top-5 rate of opponent rebounds per game, and Nurkic has been playing a ton of minutes at a high level.
BEST ASSISTS PROP
NBA Player Prop: Matas Buzelis < 1.5 Assists
Buzelis averages just a shade over three potential assists per game across his last 10 contests. Coby White should be active tonight, which throws another ballhandler in the mix, making this one appealing.
UNDERDOG FANTASY POINTS PICK
Pick: Keyonte George > 41.45 FPTS
Good luck!
Featured Image Credit: Imagn

