Staff Writer

NFL wild-card prop bets: Back Travis Etienne and Christian McCaffrey, fade Bryce Young in playoff debut

Two star running backs are the focal point of these NFL wild-card weekend prop bets.

NFL wild-card prop bets narrative: The Jacksonville Jaguars surprised everyone this year with a 13-win season, and they host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Travis Etienne should have a big workload against Buffalo’s suspect defensive front. Elsewhere, look for Christian McCaffrey to be active as a pass-catcher.

Check out my top NFL wild-card prop bets, featuring a fade on Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young.

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NFL wild-card prop bets

Best bet: Etienne over 15.5 rushing attempts (-118)

I was deliberating between backing Etienne to clear his rushing total (66.5 yards) or his rushing attempts.

Both make sense, but here’s why I think this is the better play:

Etienne is a bell cow: The fifth-year RB ranked eighth in carries this season (260), averaging 16.3 rushing attempts following Jacksonville’s Week 8 bye.

Buffalo’s run defence: The Bills rank bottom five in yards per attempt (5.1), rushing yards per game (136.2) and RBSDM.com’s EPA per rush. Liam Coen will be incentivized to pound the rock.

Jacksonville’s defence: The Jaguars rank first in EPA per play during their eight-game winning streak, allowing just 14.5 PPG.

-> Bet on player props from Bills vs. Jaguars here!

That last point is important because I can’t imagine Buffalo running up the score and forcing Jacksonville into obvious passing downs.

Josh Allen can only do so much with a lacklustre receiving corps, and the Jaguars should put up enough points to keep a balanced game plan.

Key stat: Etienne is 6-4 against this line in his last 10 games, with at least 12 rushing attempts in each contest.

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Best NFL picks

Young over 0.5 INTs (-125): You know which team should run up the score? The Los Angeles Rams. That means Young will be forced into plenty of passing situations, and I don’t think it’ll end well.

Carolina stumbled backward into the playoffs with consecutive losses and a season-long -69 point differential. The Panthers (+10.5) are the largest home underdogs in NFL postseason history.

L.A. finished second in the vaunted NFC West and led the league in scoring (30.5 PPG) behind an MVP-calibre season from Matthew Stafford.

I expect the Rams to boat race the Panthers, and for Young to take some risks.

The 2023 No. 1 overall pick did have the best game of his career against L.A. in Week 13, completing 75.0% of his passes for three TDs and a 147.1 passer rating.

That won’t scare me off this wager, though.

Young threw an interception in nine of 17 games this year and ranked 28th out of 35 qualified QBs in EPA per play. He also threw a pick in Weeks 17 and 18 to end the season.

-> Fade Bryce Young vs. Rams

NFL player prop prediction

McCaffrey over 5.5 receptions (+100): This is a tough matchup for McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers, who are tasked with cracking the Philadelphia Eagles’ rabid defence.

Getting the run game going might be difficult, meaning Kyle Shanahan will have to scheme the ball into his best playmaker’s hands.

That shouldn’t be a problem. McCaffrey has a strong case to win Offensive Player of the Year thanks to his elite dual-threat abilities.

-> Don’t miss out — bet on the NFL wild-card slate!

He hauled in 102 receptions for 924 receiving yards this year. Only five other position players had more catches than the tailback.

CMC’s 23.5% target share ranks in the 100th percentile among RBs, per Rotowire. That’s just a shade under some big-name wideouts like Nico Collins and DeVonta Smith.

And it’s not like the matchup is completely horrible, as Philly allowed the seventh-most receiving yards to RBs this year.

NFL wild-card prop bets made at 3:03 p.m. ET on Jan. 7, 2026.

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NFL wild-card prop bets: Back Travis Etienne and Christian McCaffrey, fade Bryce Young in playoff debut

Two star running backs are the focal point of these NFL wild-card weekend prop bets.

NFL wild-card prop bets narrative: The Jacksonville Jaguars surprised everyone this year with a 13-win season, and they host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Travis Etienne should have a big workload against Buffalo’s suspect defensive front. Elsewhere, look for Christian McCaffrey to be active as a pass-catcher.

Check out my top NFL wild-card prop bets, featuring a fade on Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young.

-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on the NFL

NFL wild-card prop bets

Best bet: Etienne over 14.5 rushing attempts (-114)

I was deliberating between backing Etienne to clear his rushing total (66.5 yards) or his rushing attempts.

Both make sense, but here’s why I think this is the better play:

Etienne is a bell cow: The fifth-year RB ranked eighth in carries this season (260), averaging 16.3 rushing attempts following Jacksonville’s Week 8 bye.

Buffalo’s run defence: The Bills rank bottom five in yards per attempt (5.1), rushing yards per game (136.2) and RBSDM.com’s EPA per rush. Liam Coen will be incentivized to pound the rock.

Jacksonville’s defence: The Jaguars rank first in EPA per play during their eight-game winning streak, allowing just 14.5 PPG.

-> Bet on player props from Bills vs. Jaguars here!

That last point is important because I can’t imagine Buffalo running up the score and forcing Jacksonville into obvious passing downs.

Josh Allen can only do so much with a lacklustre receiving corps, and the Jaguars should put up enough points to keep a balanced game plan.

Key stat: Etienne is 7-3 against this line in his last 10 games, with at least 12 rushing attempts in each contest.

-> Visit NorthStar Bets for all NFL wild-card betting markets

Best NFL picks

Young over 0.5 INTs (-118): You know which team should run up the score? The Los Angeles Rams. That means Young will be forced into plenty of passing situations, and I don’t think it’ll end well.

Carolina stumbled backward into the playoffs with consecutive losses and a season-long -69 point differential. The Panthers (+10.5) are the largest home underdogs in NFL postseason history.

L.A. finished second in the vaunted NFC West and led the league in scoring (30.5 PPG) behind an MVP-calibre season from Matthew Stafford.

I expect the Rams to boat race the Panthers, and for Young to take some risks.

The 2023 No. 1 overall pick did have the best game of his career against L.A. in Week 13, completing 75.0% of his passes for three TDs and a 147.1 passer rating.

That won’t scare me off this wager, though.

Young threw an interception in nine of 17 games this year and ranked 28th out of 35 qualified QBs in EPA per play. He also threw a pick in Weeks 17 and 18 to end the season.

-> Fade Bryce Young vs. Rams

NFL player prop prediction

McCaffrey over 5.5 receptions (+108): This is a tough matchup for McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers, who are tasked with cracking the Philadelphia Eagles’ rabid defence.

Getting the run game going might be difficult, meaning Kyle Shanahan will have to scheme the ball into his best playmaker’s hands.

That shouldn’t be a problem. McCaffrey has a strong case to win Offensive Player of the Year thanks to his elite dual-threat abilities.

-> Don’t miss out — bet on the NFL wild-card slate!

He hauled in 102 receptions for 924 receiving yards this year. Only five other position players had more catches than the tailback.

CMC’s 23.5% target share ranks in the 100th percentile among RBs, per Rotowire. That’s just a shade under some big-name wideouts like Nico Collins and DeVonta Smith.

And it’s not like the matchup is completely horrible, as Philly allowed the seventh-most receiving yards to RBs this year.

NFL wild-card prop bets made at 3:03 p.m. ET on Jan. 7, 2026.

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Best NBA prop picks Jan. 7: Bet on Gilgeous-Alexander and Banchero to fill the basket

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlines my NBA prop picks from Wednesday’s massive 12-game slate.

Tonight’s NBA props narrative: The Oklahoma City Thunder have dropped two straight and are officially slumping. Tonight, the reigning champs are big favourites over the lowly Utah Jazz, setting the table for SGA and Co. to right the ship.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Jan. 7, featuring Payton Pritchard and Paolo Banchero.

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NBA prop picks Jan. 7

Best bet: Gilgeous-Alexander over 30.5 points (-130)

The Thunder were 24-1 entering play on Dec. 13 and on pace to shatter the Golden State Warriors’ single-season win record before dropping six of their last 12.

Typical regression? Opponents found a defensive scheme? Too much turkey over the holidays?

Whatever the case, I say the buck stops tonight with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge. And it’s not like the reigning MVP played poorly during that 12-game stretch:

29.5 PPG
52.2 FG%
30+ points seven times

-> Bet on SGA prop markets for tonight’s Jazz vs. Thunder matchup!

The Canadian is going to get his buckets, and he has an A+ matchup against Utah, which allows the second-most points per game to opposing point guards, per Fantasy Pros.

SGA played the Jazz earlier this year and dropped 31 points on 9-of-14 shooting, adding 10 at the line.

Last season, when he averaged a league-best 32.7 PPG, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a season-high 54 points against Utah.

SGA did go under this mark in his two other meetings last year, but he still had strong outings. This seems like a good time for the MVP to have a statement game.

Key stat: Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 30-plus points in 26 of 36 games this year.

Best NBA picks

Pritchard over 4.5 rebounds (-118): Pritchard isn’t the most physically imposing player in the NBA at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds. You probably wouldn’t even bat an eye walking past him on the street.

But the point guard plays big minutes for the Celtics (32.9 per game) and averages a respectable 4.5 rebounds, which is right in line with tonight’s total.

-> Full betting markets for Wednesday’s 12-game NBA slate

He should have every opportunity to over-index on that mark against a Denver Nuggets team missing Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas.

Jokic has been out for four games with a hyperextended knee, and while it’s a small sample, the Nuggets sit 27th in rebounding rate in his absence.

Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) are also questionable after missing Monday’s contest.

Pritchard has logged four-plus rebounds in nine of his last 11 games, clearing this mark five times.

NBA player prop predictions

Banchero over 23.5 points (-110): Banchero had a horrible start to the year from an efficiency standpoint and currently ranks 101st in FG% (45.3).

It looks like the all-star has found a groove, though, averaging 25.0 PPG in his last five on 52.7% shooting.

Banchero cleared this mark in three of those contests, landing on exactly 23 points in one of the outliers.

-> Don’t miss out — bet on tonight’s NBA prop markets!

Tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets should be close — Orlando is a 2-point road favourite — meaning Banchero will get lots of run.

That sounds good to me, considering the Nets are 20th in defensive rating and allow the 11th-most PPG to opposing power forwards.

NBA prop picks made at 10:11 a.m. ET on Jan. 7, 2026.

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Bucks vs. Warriors SGP predictions Jan. 7: Back Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo at +310

The Golden State Warriors host the Milwaukee Bucks in tonight’s star-studded NBA nightcap.

The pregame narrative: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steph Curry are both playing at an MVP level, but their teams have fairly pedestrian records. Milwaukee is 4-1 since Giannis returned from injury, but the team is a 6.5-point road underdog tonight.

Check out my Bucks vs. Warriors SGP predictions for Jan. 7 featuring both star players.

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Bucks vs. Warriors SGP

Parlay: Bucks +3.5 | Giannis 10+ rebounds | Curry 3+ threes (+310)

Bucks +3.5 (+130): It wasn’t long ago when these teams were perennial title contenders, but those days are gone.

Milwaukee (16-20) and Golden State (19-18) are middling. I think this matchup should be closer to a coin flip, so I’m comfortable teasing the Bucks to cover this number.

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The Bucks are 13-9 with Giannis in the lineup, covering a +3.5 spread at a 72.7% clip. Check out the team’s splits with and without its star player, via StatMuse:

With Giannis: 118.9 offensive rating, +1.3 net rating

Without Giannis: 108.0 offensive rating, -7.8 net rating

Few players can impact a game like the Greek Freak. I expect him to be a force on the glass (more on that later) and do damage in the paint.

Milwaukee is 6-4 ATS as a road underdog this season.

Embed: #122650

NBA SGP legs

Giannis 10+ rebounds (-278): Golden State doesn’t have an elite big man on its roster, and it ranks 22nd in rebounding rate as a result.

Sophomore centre Quinten Post is the only 7-footer in the rotation, and he averages just 4.1 rebounds a night.

-> Don’t miss out — bet on Curry and Giannis now!

That said, Giannis should be licking his chops at this matchup.

He’s averaged double-digit boards in each of the last nine seasons and has cleared this mark in three straight games.

Some of his numbers this year are a little funky because of injuries and minutes restrictions, but Giannis played 32 minutes on Sunday and should be full-go tonight.

Curry 3+ threes (-345): I’ll be shocked if this is the leg that sinks the SGP.

Curry is still the league’s premier 3-point shooter, averaging the most makes (4.8) and attempts (12.2) per game. That nets out to a 39.2% clip.

He’s hit this mark in 10 of 12 games since December, and he’s had four-plus 3s in four straight.

Milwaukee is 18th in opponent 3-point percentage, so this isn’t exactly a tough matchup.

Bucks vs. Warriors predictions made at 12 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2026.

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Best NBA prop picks Jan. 7: Bet on Gilgeous-Alexander and Banchero to fill the basket

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlines my NBA prop picks from Wednesday’s massive 12-game slate.

Tonight’s NBA props narrative: The Oklahoma City Thunder have dropped two straight and are officially slumping. Tonight, the reigning champs are big favourites over the lowly Utah Jazz, setting the table for SGA and Co. to right the ship.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Jan. 7, featuring Payton Pritchard and Paolo Banchero.

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NBA prop picks Jan. 7

Best bet: Gilgeous-Alexander over 30.5 points (-117)

The Thunder were 24-1 entering play on Dec. 13 and on pace to shatter the Golden State Warriors’ single-season win record before dropping six of their last 12.

Typical regression? Opponents found a defensive scheme? Too much turkey over the holidays?

Whatever the case, I say the buck stops tonight with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge. And it’s not like the reigning MVP played poorly during that 12-game stretch:

29.5 PPG
52.2 FG%
30+ points seven times

-> Bet on SGA prop markets for tonight’s Jazz vs. Thunder matchup!

The Canadian is going to get his buckets, and he has an A+ matchup against Utah, which allows the second-most points per game to opposing point guards, per Fantasy Pros.

SGA played the Jazz earlier this year and dropped 31 points on 9-of-14 shooting, adding 10 at the line.

Last season, when he averaged a league-best 32.7 PPG, Gilgeous-Alexander scored a season-high 54 points against Utah.

SGA did go under this mark in his two other meetings last year, but he still had strong outings. This seems like a good time for the MVP to have a statement game.

Key stat: Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 30-plus points in 26 of 36 games this year.

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Best NBA picks

Pritchard over 4.5 rebounds (+104): Pritchard isn’t the most physically imposing player in the NBA at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds. You probably wouldn’t even bat an eye walking past him on the street.

But the point guard plays big minutes for the Celtics (32.9 per game) and averages a respectable 4.5 rebounds, which is right in line with tonight’s total.

-> Full betting markets for Wednesday’s 12-game NBA slate

He should have every opportunity to over-index on that mark against a Denver Nuggets team missing Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas.

Jokic has been out for four games with a hyperextended knee, and while it’s a small sample, the Nuggets sit 27th in rebounding rate in his absence.

Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) are also questionable after missing Monday’s contest.

Pritchard has logged four-plus rebounds in nine of his last 11 games, clearing this mark five times.

NBA player prop predictions

Banchero over 23.5 points (-104): Banchero had a horrible start to the year from an efficiency standpoint and currently ranks 101st in FG% (45.3).

It looks like the all-star has found a groove, though, averaging 25.0 PPG in his last five on 52.7% shooting.

Banchero cleared this mark in three of those contests, landing on exactly 23 points in one of the outliers.

-> Don’t miss out — bet on tonight’s NBA prop markets!

Tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets should be close — Orlando is a 2-point road favourite — meaning Banchero will get lots of run.

That sounds good to me, considering the Nets are 20th in defensive rating and allow the 11th-most PPG to opposing power forwards.

NBA prop picks made at 10:11 a.m. ET on Jan. 7, 2026.

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Mavericks vs. Kings SGP predictions Jan. 6: Back Cooper Flagg, Dallas to cover at +320

Tuesday’s NBA slate wraps up with an 11 p.m. ET clash between the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks.

The pregame narrative: Both teams sit outside of the playoff picture, with Sacramento posting a basement-dwelling 8-28 record. Dallas is a 5.5-point road favourite tonight and should feel good about the play of Cooper Flagg, who’s now a massive -835 favourite to win Rookie of the Year.

Check out my Mavericks vs. Kings SGP predictions for Jan. 6, featuring prop bets on Flagg and DeMar DeRozan.

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Mavericks vs. Kings SGP predictions

Parlay: Mavericks -5.5 | Flagg 6+ rebounds | DeRozan under 18.5 points (+320)

Mavericks -5.5 (-109): Picking the spread in this matchup seems fairly simple to me.

Dallas is a bad team, but Sacramento is horrible.

The Kings have the worst net rating in the NBA (-11.5) and have dropped 15 of their last 18 games. One of those wins was against the Mavericks, but Anthony Davis was sidelined.

Davis will play tonight, and he’s been a force since Dec. 1:

20.9 points per game
11.5 rebounds per game
1.8 blocks per game

In terms of star power, Dallas has AD and Flagg — that’s miles clear of what Sacramento can offer.

-> Build your own Mavericks vs. Kings SGP at NorthStar Bets

The Kings are missing three-time rebounding leader Domantas Sabonis, and are relying on three past-their-prime scorers to carry the load (DeRozan, Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine).

Sacramento is an NBA-worst 11-22 ATS as an underdog this year.

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NBA SGP picks

Flagg 6+ rebounds (-215): Speaking of Flagg, I think it’s time to take whatever “overrated” chatter there was and throw it out of the window.

The 2025 No. 1 pick struggled to start the year, but found his footing in December, averaging 23.5 points and 6.2 rebounds a night.

Flagg had two bad games to start the year, shooting a combined 8-for-27 from the field. I expect him to bounce back tonight, but I’m more interested in this rebounding total.

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Flagg has reached this milestone in nine of his last 10 games, corralling seven-plus boards five times.

He should feast on the glass tonight.

Sacramento is 29th in rebounding rate since Sabonis went down with an injury on Nov. 16.

DeRozan under 18.5 points (-127): Finally, I want to fade DeRozan.

The 36-year-old forward is putting up a respectable 18.3 PPG, but that’s a big dropoff from last year and by far his lowest mark since the 2012-13 season.

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He’s also been in a slump lately, failing to crack 15 points in four of his last six contests.

That includes a nine-point outing against the Mavs, where he shot 2-of-10 from the field.

Dallas is a nightmare matchup for DeRozan, who ranks in the 100th percentile among forwards in mid-range shot frequency, according to Cleaning the Glass.

The Mavs have the fourth-best mid-range defence in the league (42.0%). They also allow the second-fewest PPG to opposing small forwards, per Fantasy Pros.

Mavericks vs. Kings predictions made at 2 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2026.

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Best NBA prop picks Jan. 6: Predictions on Anthony Davis, Evan Mobley and Zion Williamson

A trio of big men headline Tuesday’s NBA prop bets.

Tonight’s NBA props narrative: Anthony Davis is playing big minutes and should thrive on the glass against the undersized Sacramento Kings. Elsewhere, look for Evan Mobley to continue his elite run of defensive play when the Cleveland Cavaliers battle the Indiana Pacers.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Jan. 6, featuring a prediction on Zion Williamson.

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NBA prop picks Jan. 6

Best bet: Davis over 11.5 rebounds (-112)

Dallas has taken the kid gloves off of Davis.

The centre has averaged 35.8 minutes over his last seven games, excluding a Christmas Day matchup against the Golden State Warriors, where he left early with an injury.

That’s always a risk with AD, but it’s one I’m willing to take tonight.

In that seven-game span (again, sans Warriors game), he has put up huge numbers on the glass:

12.7 rebounds/game
12+ rebounds five times
14+ rebounds four times

-> Bet on prop markets for Tuesday’s Mavericks vs. Kings nightcap!

The Mavericks aren’t a great team, and neither are the Kings. Dallas is a slim 5.5-point road favourite, so I expect this to be a close matchup with Davis playing around 35 minutes.

If he gets that much run, clearing this should be a breeze.

Key stat: Sacramento ranks 29th in rebounding rate since Domantas Sabonis went down with an injury on Nov. 16.

Best NBA picks

Mobley over 1.5 blocks (–134): The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been on a warpath lately, putting up some ridiculous numbers in his last four games:

Jan 4 vs. Pistons: 4 blocks, 1 steal
Jan 2 vs. Nuggets: 3 blocks, 1 steal
Dec. 31 vs. Suns: 5 blocks, 1 steal
Dec. 29 at Spurs: 3 blocks

-> Full betting markets for Tuesday’s NBA slate

Indiana lacks size and plays at the 11th-fastest pace in the league. The Pacers give up the sixth-most blocks per game to opposing power forwards, per Fantasy Pros.

Mobley should have another big game defensively.

NBA player prop predictions

Williamson over 24.5 points (-110): Hopefully, Williamson can stay healthy for the rest of the season, because he’s truly electric whenever he’s on the court.

His numbers since returning on Dec. 14:

23.5 PPG
60.1 FG%
26.3 MPG

Williamson came off the bench for the first seven games, but has started the last four.

In that span, he’s scored 30-plus points three times and is playing just under 30 minutes a night.

-> Don’t miss out — bet on tonight’s NBA prop markets!

Williamson’s only meeting with the Lakers over the last two seasons came 10 months ago in March 2025, and he erupted for 37 points on 17-of-23 shooting (73.9%) in that matchup.

It’s a small sample, but one I put value in, given L.A.’s defensive track record this season.

Los Angeles has given up the seventh-most points per game to power forwards and sits 26th in defensive rating.

NBA prop picks made at 10:40 a.m. ET on Jan. 5, 2026.

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Best NBA prop picks Jan. 6: Predictions on Anthony Davis, Evan Mobley and Zion Williamson

A trio of big men headline Tuesday’s NBA prop bets.

Tonight’s NBA props narrative: Anthony Davis is playing big minutes and should thrive on the glass against the undersized Sacramento Kings. Elsewhere, look for Evan Mobley to continue his elite run of defensive play when the Cleveland Cavaliers battle the Indiana Pacers.

Check out my top NBA prop picks for Jan. 6, featuring a prediction on Zion Williamson.

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NBA prop picks Jan. 6

Best bet: Davis over 11.5 rebounds (-134)

Dallas has taken the kid gloves off of Davis.

The centre has averaged 35.8 minutes over his last seven games, excluding a Christmas Day matchup against the Golden State Warriors, where he left early with an injury.

That’s always a risk with AD, but it’s one I’m willing to take tonight.

In that seven-game span (again, sans Warriors game), he has put up huge numbers on the glass:

12.7 rebounds/game
12+ rebounds five times
14+ rebounds four times

-> Bet on prop markets for Tuesday’s Mavericks vs. Kings nightcap!

The Mavericks aren’t a great team, and neither are the Kings. Dallas is a slim 5.5-point road favourite, so I expect this to be a close matchup with Davis playing around 35 minutes.

If he gets that much run, clearing this should be a breeze.

Key stat: Sacramento ranks 29th in rebounding rate since Domantas Sabonis went down with an injury on Nov. 16.

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Best NBA picks

Mobley over 2.5 steals and blocks (–136): The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been on a warpath lately, putting up some ridiculous numbers in his last four games:

Jan 4 vs. Pistons: 4 blocks, 1 steal
Jan 2 vs. Nuggets: 3 blocks, 1 steal
Dec. 31 vs. Suns: 5 blocks, 1 steal
Dec. 29 at Spurs: 3 blocks

-> Full betting markets for Tuesday’s NBA slate

I think this is the best way to back Mobley defensively, with his 2-plus blocks market carrying a borderline unplayable price (-157).

Bettors could take Mobley to record three blocks, which he’s done in four straight, at a nice +195 price tag.

After all, the Pacers give up the sixth-most blocks per game to opposing power forwards, per Fantasy Pros.

But I’ll opt for the safer route.

Mobley has active hands for a big man, logging 0.9 steals per game. On the whole, he is averaging 2.7 stocks (steals plus blocks) a night.

Indiana lacks size and plays at the 11th-fastest pace in the league. Mobley should have another big game defensively.

NBA player prop predictions

Williamson over 24.5 points (-104): Hopefully, Williamson can stay healthy for the rest of the season, because he’s truly electric whenever he’s on the court.

His numbers since returning on Dec. 14:

23.5 PPG
60.1 FG%
26.3 MPG

Williamson came off the bench for the first seven games, but has started the last four.

In that span, he’s scored 30-plus points three times and is playing just under 30 minutes a night.

-> Don’t miss out — bet on tonight’s NBA prop markets!

Williamson’s only meeting with the Lakers over the last two seasons came 10 months ago in March 2025, and he erupted for 37 points on 17-of-23 shooting (73.9%) in that matchup.

It’s a small sample, but one I put value in, given L.A.’s defensive track record this season.

Los Angeles has given up the seventh-most points per game to power forwards and sits 26th in defensive rating.

NBA prop picks made at 10:40 a.m. ET on Jan. 5, 2026.

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Panthers vs. Maple Leafs picks and predictions Jan. 6: Bet on high-scoring game in Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday with just two points separating the teams in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff hunt.

The pregame narrative: Toronto has picked up points in six straight (4-0-2) and could find itself one game out of a wild-card spot with a win tonight. The Maple Leafs remain shorthanded on offence following William Nylander’s placement on the injured reserve on Monday.

Check out my Panthers vs. Leafs predictions for Jan. 6, featuring a prop pick on Bobby McMann.

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Panthers vs. Leafs predictions

Best bet: Over 6 goals (-112)

The Maple Leafs have been awful defensively, and things aren’t expected to improve any time soon. Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo and Jake McCabe are all sidelined.

Toronto’s defensive stats:

27th in goals against per game (3.34)
32nd in shots against per game (31.3)
32nd in chances against per 60 (63.15)

But Toronto has outscored its defensive issues lately, averaging 4.6 goals per game in its last six, and cashing this over four times.

If you’re worried about Nylander’s absence bucking that trend, don’t be.

The Swede missed the last four games before being placed on the IR, and the Leafs kept chugging. Auston Matthews returning to form with six goals in those contests certainly helped.

-> Don’t miss out — bet on Panthers vs. Maple Leafs now!

I think the Leafs will get after a struggling Sergei Bobrovsky tonight. The two-time Vezina winner has regressed mightily this year, ranking 35th in GAA (2.84) and 48th in save percentage (.855).

Florida can contribute to this number, too. The team averages the eighth-most shots per game and should generate enough chances against Toronto’s defence to pull its weight.

Key stat: The last four meetings between these teams in Toronto have gone over six goals.

NHL prop picks

McMann to score 1+ points (+100): McMann has been a consistent point producer over the last two weeks.

The 23-year-old forward has four goals and four assists in his last eight games, cashing this wager six times.

He’s been consistently firing pucks in that span, ranking second on the team in shot attempts (37) and high-danger chances (12).

-> Bet on McMann & Matthews in Toronto tonight!

I’m most bullish on this wager because of his linemate, Matthews.

Toronto’s captain is heating up, scoring a few signature goals to overtake Mats Sundin as the club’s all-time leading scorer on Saturday.

Matthews holds the shortest odds to notch a point of anyone in this game at -250. Getting his winger at plus money seems like a steal.

Panthers vs. Leafs predictions made at 9:05 a.m. ET Jan. 6, 2026.

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Panthers vs. Maple Leafs picks and predictions Jan. 6: Bet on high-scoring game in Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday with just two points separating the teams in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff hunt.

The pregame narrative: Toronto has picked up points in six straight (4-0-2) and could find itself one game out of a wild-card spot with a win tonight. The Maple Leafs remain shorthanded on offence following William Nylander’s placement on the injured reserve on Monday.

Check out my Panthers vs. Leafs predictions for Jan. 6, featuring a prop pick on Bobby McMann.

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Panthers vs. Leafs predictions

Best bet: Over 6 goals (-109)

The Maple Leafs have been awful defensively, and things aren’t expected to improve any time soon. Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo and Jake McCabe are all sidelined.

Toronto’s defensive stats:

27th in goals against per game (3.34)
32nd in shots against per game (31.3)
32nd in chances against per 60 (63.15)

But Toronto has outscored its defensive issues lately, averaging 4.6 goals per game in its last six, and cashing this over four times.

If you’re worried about Nylander’s absence bucking that trend, don’t be.

The Swede missed the last four games before being placed on the IR, and the Leafs kept chugging. Auston Matthews returning to form with six goals in those contests certainly helped.

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I think the Leafs will get after a struggling Sergei Bobrovsky tonight. The two-time Vezina winner has regressed mightily this year, ranking 35th in GAA (2.84) and 48th in save percentage (.855).

Florida can contribute to this number, too. The team averages the eighth-most shots per game and should generate enough chances against Toronto’s defence to pull its weight.

Key stat: The last four meetings between these teams in Toronto have gone over six goals.

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NHL prop picks

McMann to score 1+ points (+106): McMann has been a consistent point producer over the last two weeks.

The 23-year-old forward has four goals and four assists in his last eight games, cashing this wager six times.

He’s been consistently firing pucks in that span, ranking second on the team in shot attempts (37) and high-danger chances (12).

-> Bet on McMann & Matthews in Toronto tonight!

I’m most bullish on this wager because of his linemate, Matthews.

Toronto’s captain is heating up, scoring a few signature goals to overtake Mats Sundin as the club’s all-time leading scorer on Saturday.

Matthews holds the shortest odds to notch a point of anyone in this game at -250. Getting his winger at plus money seems like a steal.

Panthers vs. Leafs predictions made at 9:05 a.m. ET Jan. 6, 2026.

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