Best NBA Player Props to Bet Today (Jan 28)
By Chris Wright in NBA Basketball
Published:
- There are 9 NBA games on Wednesday, January 28
- I have used our internal A.I. to generate the top player prop to bet from each game
- See the best NBA player props to target today
Tonight’s nine-game NBA slate is loaded with superstar talent, presenting a massive opportunity for bettors to capitalize on high-volume player prop markets. The headline attraction features a heavyweight bout between the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, where Donovan Mitchell must carry the offensive load for a shorthanded roster. In the Western Conference, a fascinating intrastate rivalry sees Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs tasked with slowing down Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.
I have asked our internal A.I. to generate its top NBA player props to bet tonight. It responded with its top prop bet from each game. The table below lists the A.I. NBA picks for Wednesday, January 28. Under the table, find the A.I.’s rationale for each pick.
NBA Player Props to Bet Today (Jan. 28)
Our A.I. tools have selected the top player prop for all nine NBA games tonight, followed by a deeper dive into our highest-confidence plays backed by the data.
Top Value Picks & Analysis
Victor Wembanyama (SAS) — Over 2.5 Blocks The Spurs’ center remains a defensive anomaly, and the betting markets reflect his ability to alter shots at an elite rate. Facing Houston, Wembanyama projects as a massive defensive anchor. While he is also threatening a double-double with points and rebounds, the most distinct value lies in his rim protection. With a line set at 2.5 blocks, the data suggests Wembanyama is positioned to disrupt the Rockets’ interior attempts significantly throughout the contest.
LaMelo Ball (CHA) — Over 6.5 Assists (-152) While Brandon Miller may lead the scoring charge for the Charlotte Hornets, the offense runs through LaMelo Ball’s distribution. The betting markets have identified this as a high-confidence play, offering odds of -152 on Ball exceeding 6.5 assists. Despite a modest scoring projection, Ball is heavily favored to facilitate against the Memphis Grizzlies, making his assist prop one of the most statistically backed plays on the slate.
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Donovan Mitchell (CLE) — Over 31.5 Points In a star-studded matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, Donovan Mitchell is projected to carry the heaviest offensive burden. Holding the highest scoring prop of the game at 31.5 points, Mitchell is expected to drive the Cavaliers’ attack aggressively. With the Lakers’ defense focused on multiple threats, the volume and usage rate anticipate a premier scoring night for Cleveland’s guard.
Key Injury Updates & Lineup Changes Impacting Tonight’s Prop Market
Before locking in your slips, it is vital to account for the substantial voids in several rotations tonight. Tonight’s slate features several teams missing primary ball-handlers and defensive anchors, creating distinct leverage points for the player props listed above.
Here are the most significant injury situations monitoring for tonight’s games:
- Cleveland Cavaliers (Darius Garland & Evan Mobley): The Cavs are severely shorthanded with Darius Garland (foot) and Evan Mobley (calf) both ruled out. With Max Strus also sidelined, the offensive engine falls almost entirely on Donovan Mitchell. Expect Mitchell’s field goal attempts and usage rate to spike significantly, while the lack of Mobley’s interior presence could open up driving lanes for Lakers forwards like Rui Hachimura.
- Boston Celtics (Jayson Tatum & Kristaps Porziņģis): The defending champions, the Boston Celtics, remain without Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porziņģis, both dealing with Achilles issues. This leaves a massive scoring void that Jaylen Brown must fill. Brown’s points prop becomes a primary target as the undisputed number one option against the Atlanta Hawks.
- Dallas Mavericks (Kyrie Irving): With Kyrie Irving out indefinitely due to a knee injury, the Mavericks’ backcourt dynamic shifts entirely to Luka Dončić and Klay Thompson. Irving’s absence vacates significant shot attempts, directly benefiting Thompson’s volume from the perimeter.
- Memphis Grizzlies (Ja Morant): The Memphis Grizzlies are dealing with a crowded injury report, headlined by Ja Morant (elbow) being ruled out. With Desmond Bane and Zach Edey also sidelined, the offensive load falls squarely on Jaren Jackson Jr., making his points over a strong consideration due to sheer necessity.
- Orlando Magic (Franz Wagner): Orlando will be without Franz Wagner (ankle) for their matchup against Miami. Wagner’s absence removes the Magic’s secondary playmaker, which should force Paolo Banchero into even higher usage as a scorer and facilitator. Conversely, Miami is missing Tyler Herro (toe), which limits their perimeter spacing.
- Indiana Pacers (Tyrese Haliburton): The Pacers continue to navigate the season without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles). Without their elite floor general, the offense runs through Pascal Siakam, providing him with a high floor for scoring opportunities against a Chicago defense missing Zach Collins.
- Golden State Warriors (Jimmy Butler): The Warriors have lost Jimmy Butler for the season with a knee injury. This significant blow to their wing depth puts more defensive pressure on Draymond Green and increases the offensive burden on Stephen Curry to generate points against Utah.
- Minnesota Timberwolves (Anthony Edwards): Bettors should monitor the status of Anthony Edwards, who is listed as Questionable (Injury Management). If Edwards sits or is limited, the usage for supporting cast members like Julius Randle or Naz Reid would increase dramatically against Dallas.
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Chris Wright is an Evergreen and AI editor for Saturday Down South, Saturday Tradition, Crossing Broad, Sports Betting Dime and ESNY.