Player props have become one of the NBA’s most entertaining ways to bet, offering value beyond the standard spread or total. Each night, this column highlights the best opportunities on the board — from points and rebounds to assists and combo lines — using matchup data, recent performance, and betting trends to find edges. Keep reading for the top NBA player prop picks for January 8. Also, make sure you check out our live VSiN programming for more. Our hosts and analysts will be all over the NBA, which is why it pays to be a VSiN Pro subscriber.
MORE: Check out the VSiN Pro Picks page for more bets from our talented hosts and analysts!
2025-26 NBA Record: 246-231 (+7.59 units)
Thursday Player Prop Best Bets
Below you’ll find my official plays on the player prop market for Thursday. These are the ones that make the VSiN Pro Picks page and count towards my season-long record.
Davion Mitchell Over 7.5 Assists (+115) vs. Bulls
Heat at Bulls – 8:00 pm ET
With Tyler Herro back for Miami, Mitchell is extremely dangerous as a playmaker again. In the games Mitchell has played with Herro this season, the feisty two-way contributor is averaging 8.9 assists per game. Mitchell has also had at least nine assists in six consecutive games with Herro on the floor. Mitchell just doesn’t have to feel any pressure to make shots when the Heat have Herro out there to score 25. That allows Mitchell to survey the floor and get everybody set up for good looks.
Tonight, Mitchell should be extremely productive as a passer. While he had only six assists the last time he faced the Bulls, he had 15 potential assists in that game. That means he really should have had some more, as he was doing his job of creating. This time around, Mitchell just needs his teammates to make shots, and I’d be surprised if they don’t. Chicago is the worst defensive team in the league at the rim, and the team also struggles to defend certain spots beyond the 3-point line.
We just have to hope that the Heat don’t blow the Bulls out.
Naji Marshall Over 14.5 Points (-113) vs. Jazz
Mavericks at Jazz – 9:00 pm ET
I have gone Over on Marshall’s point total four times this year, going 3-1 in those plays. Well, tonight I’m going back to Marshall’s Over, but I’m doing it on a higher number than usual. While 15 might seem like a lot to expect out of Marshall, PJ Washington is likely to miss this game for Dallas. That has been a good sign when looking for Marshall’s success this year. In the seven games Marshall has played without Washington, the big wing is averaging 17.3 points per game.
Marshall is also going up against a Jazz team that is 29th in the NBA in adjusted defensive rating (120.5). This is one of the worst defensive teams in basketball. These are also two teams that are currently in the top-five in pace of play. On top of that, Utah struggles to guard the short mid-range area on the floor, where Marshall scores 32% of his points.
I just see this being another game in which Marshall thrives in transition and isolation. And maybe he’ll hit a 3 or two for us.
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Noteworthy OptaAI Player Prop Edges
Check out the OptaAI Player Props pages for more of these! VSiN Pro subscribers can find 50+ player prop ideas on a daily basis! We’ll list the top edges in some of the biggest markets below, but there will always be a lot more to uncover on the pages themselves.
Nikola Jovic Over 8.5 Points (-121) vs. Bulls
Our OptaAI player prop projections have him going for 11.60 points.
Moussa Diabate Under 11.5 Rebounds (-123) vs. Pacers
Our OptaAI player prop projections have him finishing with 9.00 rebounds.
Coby White Over 3.5 Assists (-158) vs. Heat
Our OptaAI player prop projections have him projected for 4.78 assists.
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