2 min read

NBA Betting Picks Today – Thursday, March 5th Cheat Sheet

Props Staff

Props Staff

Last updated: March 5, 2026

Kevin Durant NBA

We’re breaking down everything you need to know before you make any NBA bets or set your DFS lineups. In our NBA betting picks preview for Thursday, March 5th, 2026, we run through today’s best free player prop bets and pick’em plays in a cheat sheet format.

We’re talking the best game environments where points will be flying, the most important NBA injury news that’s moving lines and opening up value, and the best expert player prop picks for tonight’s action.

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!

Best DFS Apps in New York

DraftKings Daily Fantasy
Play Free for Your Share of Millions
Play Free for Your Share of Millions
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT). 18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit required. 1 single-use $3 ticket rewarded. Ticket rewards are site credits valid for use on eligible DraftKings contests. Ticket rewards expire 14 days (336 hours) after being issued. Terms: www.draftkings.com/promotions. Ends 12/31/2025 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
DraftKings Best Ball
Draft One, Get One to Play Free for a Share of $15 Million
Play Free for a Share of $15 Million
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT). 18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. 1 per customer. Must enter a lineup into the NFL Best Ball $15M Headliner Contest by 9/4/25. $20 entry fee. Bonus issued as 1 ticket to NFL Best Ball $15M Headliner Contest. Ticket reward is site credit valid for use only on NFL Best Ball $20M Headliner Contest. Ticket reward is single-use and expires on the sooner of 30 days (720 hours) or contest lock. See terms at https://www.draftkings.com/nfl-best-ball. Ends 9/4/25 at 6:20 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Splash Sports
Get $10 Splash Credit instantly
Make picks, compete, win together
Get $10 Splash Credit instantly
Make picks, compete, win together
Eligibility varies by location: 18+ (19+ AL/NE; 21+ AZ/IA/LA/MA/VA).

NBA Betting Cheat Sheet Today – Thursday, March 5th

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, so let’s get into it.

NBA Schedule & Odds For Thursday, Mar. 5th

Here’s a rundown of the full schedule and NBA odds for today:

7:00 PM ET — Dallas @ Orlando
Line: ORL -9.5 | O/U: 228.5

7:00 PM ET — Utah @ Washington
Line: WSH -2.5 | O/U: 243.5

7:30 PM ET — Brooklyn @ Miami
Line: MIA -12.5 | O/U: 226.5

7:30 PM ET — Golden State @ Houston
Line: HOU -9.5 | O/U: 215.5

8:00 PM ET — Toronto @ Minnesota
Line: MIN -5.5 | O/U: 227.5

8:00 PM ET — Detroit @ San Antonio
Line: SA -3.5 | O/U: 228.5

9:00 PM ET — Chicago @ Phoenix
Line: PHX -10.5 | O/U: 224.5

10:00 PM ET — Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver
Line: DEN -5.5 | O/U: 241.5

10:00 PM ET — New Orleans @ Sacramento
Line: NO -5.5 | O/U: 234.5

Odds are approximate and subject to change closer to tipoff!

A few of the most popular NBA player picks on Underdog:

Top NBA Games Today

Which games are shaping up to be DFS and sports betting goldmines? Let’s look at the main slate.

Washington Wizards vs. Utah Jazz

  • Highest total on the slate at 243.5; Wizards favored by 2.5
  • Jusuf Nurkic & Lauri Markkanen remain OUT for Utah; Keyonte George also downgraded to OUT
  • Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tristan Vukcevic, D’Angelo Russell all OUT for Washington; Trae Young is BACK

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

  • Should be a highly entertaining matchup, and likely to be competitive; Nuggets favored by 5.5 at home in game with elevated 241.5 total
  • Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson, Spencer Jones OUT for Denver; Cameron Johnson QUESTIONABLE
  • LA is healthy aside from Max Kleber (QUESTIONABLE)

Check out more of our NBA player props content for the 2025/26 season. As always, it’s 100% FREE:

Best Sportsbooks in New York

Bet $5, Get $100 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins
NO PROMO CODE NEEDED
Bet $5, Get $100 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins
NO PROMO CODE NEEDED
New Players Only, Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be Present in Legal State. Full T&Cs Apply. Please Play Responsibly.
NY Promo TBA
NY Promo TBA
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US), 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR), 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Terms and conditions apply. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. This promotional offer is not available in Mississippi, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Free NBA Picks Cheat Sheet For Today

Our NBA betting cheat sheet today is ready to roll!

Let’s break it down.

BEST POINTS PROP

Pick: Nikola Jokic > 29.5 Points

The Lakers, like essentially every other team in the NBA, don’t have anyone who can slow down Jokic offensively. He’s averaging a career-high 29.8 points on 18.4 field goal attempts per 36 minutes in 46 games this season. Denver is firmly favored at home.

BEST REBOUNDS PROP

Pick: Oso Ighodaro > 7.5 Rebounds

Mark Williams has been ruled out for the Suns, so Ighodaro is in line for another start down low. The big man is averaging 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per 36 minutes in 61 games this season, seven of which have been starts. Tonight’s matchup at home against the Bulls, who are scheduled to start Guerschon Yabusele at center, is not too scary.

BEST ASSISTS PROP

Pick: Isaiah Collier > 9.5 Assists

Whenever Keyonte George has been absent, Collier has stepped into the PG role admirably. It’s a high number, but we like his chances of hitting it in a plus matchup on the road against the Wizards.

Good luck!

the PROP drop NEWSLETTER

Your one-stop resource for all things player props.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Recommended Bonuses Recommended Bonuses

DraftKings Best Ball

Play Free for a Share of $15 Million

T&Cs Apply