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NBA Betting Cheat Sheet Today – Thursday, January 8th

Props Staff

Props Staff

Last updated: January 8, 2026

NBA betting cheat sheet for jan. 8, 2026

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.

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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 Player Props Today for Jan. 8, 2026

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

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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:

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.

NBA Live Player Prop Odds

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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!

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