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!
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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 NBA Player Props
- First Basket Predictions
- NBA Betting Hub (Game Predictions & More)
- Key Stats To Know: NBA Betting
- Daily Promo Roundup
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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!
Featured Image Credit: Imagn
