NBA player prop picks and King of the Court predictions - January 8

DraftKings’ King of the Court promotion is live every Wednesday, offering bettors a chance to win a share of $1 million in bonus bets if the player they bet on leads the night in Points + Rebounds + Assists (P+R+A).

With an exciting slate of games, including top matchups and high-scoring potential, today’s picks are tied directly to productive guards with the potential to dominate the stat sheet.

NBA Player Prop Predictions

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 31.5 Points (-115)

Zach LaVine Over 24.5 Points (-120)

Tyrese Maxey Over 30.5 Points (-110)

Pick #1: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 31.5 Points (-115)

The Oklahoma City Thunder (30-5) take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (31-4) in a battle of the top teams in each conference. Both squads are riding double-digit win streaks, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been on another level during this stretch. In 7 of the last 10 games, he’s scored 33+ points, only falling short against weaker opponents or while conserving energy for tougher matchups.

Against the Cavs, who boast the league’s #1 offense but the 7th-best defense, OKC will count on SGA’s scoring prowess. Cleveland’s backcourt stars, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, are terrific players, but they can’t contain the methodical, all-around offensive game of SGA. With his recent performances against elite Eastern Conference teams like the Knicks and Celtics – scoring 33 in each – expect him to rise to the occasion again.

SGA’s ability to fill the box score makes him a strong candidate for the most P+R+A of the night, giving you a shot at DraftKings’ big prize.

Pick #2: Zach LaVine Over 24.5 Points (-120)

The Chicago Bulls (17-19) face the Indiana Pacers (19-18) in a fast-paced rivalry game. Both teams rank in the top 15 for offense, top 10 for pace and bottom 10 for defense, making this matchup ripe for scoring. The point total for this game is 10 points higher than any other contest tonight, which highlights its potential for offensive fireworks.

Zach LaVine has been a major factor in the Bulls’ recent success, scoring 32+ points in 4 of their last 5 games and 30+ points 7 times in his previous 13. Amid trade rumors linking him to the Lakers and elsewhere, LaVine is showcasing his value, averaging 23.1 points on 51% shooting this season. With playoff positioning and his personal stock on the line, LaVine is poised to deliver against the Pacers’ porous defense.

LaVine thrives in fast-paced games and has the opportunity to rack up P+R+A totals that could place him atop the leaderboard.

Pick #3: Tyrese Maxey Over 30.5 Points (-110)

The Washington Wizards (6-28) are playing the second night of a back-to-back against the well-rested Philadelphia 76ers (14-20). Washington’s struggles are evident: they rank 30th in offense, 29th in defense and 4th in pace. Elite guards have feasted on the Wizards lately, with recent outings including 29 points from Jalen Green, 50 points from CJ McCollum, 32 points from Zach LaVine, 55 from Jalen Brunson and 41 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Enter Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers’ leading scorer and a steady force amid the team’s inconsistency. Maxey averages 25.4 points per game and dropped 31 in his last outing. Against a fatigued and defensively inept Wizards squad, he’s well-positioned to surpass the 30-point mark.

Maxey’s ability to exploit weak defenses and Washington’s up-tempo playstyle make him a strong contender for leading the night in P+R+A.