We’re just a few days into the 2025-26 NBA season, and it’s already delivered – thrilling overtime finishes, standout performances from the league’s biggest stars and plenty of betting action.
We’ve started hot as well, opening the year 3-0 (+3.00 units). Let’s keep it rolling with Friday night’s best NBA player props!
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today’s slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page.
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Friday Night’s Best NBA Player Props
Derrick White Under 20.5 Points (-103)
Derrick White and the Celtics travel to Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks. Boston opened its season with a 117-116 loss at home to the 76ers, while New York defeated the Cavaliers, 119-111.
Under former head coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks built their identity around defense, though they slipped slightly in that area last season, but still finished 12th in points allowed per 100 possessions. Now, with Mike Brown at the helm, they’ll look to strengthen that edge against a tough opponent in Boston.
Even without Jayson Tatum, the Celtics still bring a dynamic offense. White took on a larger scoring role in the opener, putting up 25 points on 35% shooting. He attempted 20 shots, 13 from beyond the arc, and went a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. While his usage should remain elevated without Tatum, his efficiency was poor in Game 1, and this matchup poses an even tougher defensive challenge. It’s a good spot to sell high on Derrick White’s point total tonight.
Ja Morant Under 38.5 PRA (-120)
The Memphis Grizzlies host the Miami Heat, and all eyes will be on Ja Morant. With a star of Morant’s caliber, bettors often look for reasons to back his overs, but this is a spot to fade him.
Morant opened the season strong, dropping 35 points with three rebounds and three assists. However, he now faces a Miami defense that finished ninth last year in points allowed per 100 possessions. Under Erik Spoelstra, the Heat play a disciplined, physical style that routinely frustrates elite scorers. Expect Morant’s production to cool off in this matchup. We’re selling high on his opening-night performance.
Naji Marshall Over 8.5 Points (-110)
The Dallas Mavericks are laying double digits at home tonight against the Washington Wizards. Last season, Washington ranked 28th in defensive points allowed per 100 possessions and 20th in opponent effective field goal percentage. That trend continued in their opener, where they fell 133-120 to Milwaukee, allowing the Bucks to shoot 51% from the field and 41% from three.
Naji Marshall logged just 23 minutes in the Mavericks first game, going 0-for-2 from the field but converting 3-of-4 free throws. Expect his offensive output to rise in this favorable matchup against one of the league’s weakest defenses. With additional opportunities likely coming his way, this sets up well for a bounce-back performance. His points prop opened as low as 7.5 but has since climbed to 8.5, as bettors are looking to take advantage of his lower prop mark in an advantageous matchup.
Rui Hachimura Over 1.5 3pt FGM (-130)
Out West, the Lakers host the Timberwolves on Friday night. Los Angeles remains without LeBron James, who continues to recover from a sciatica injury and is expected to return around mid-November.
That absence opens the door for players like Rui Hachimura to step up offensively – particularly from long range. In his season debut, all six of Hachimura’s shot attempts came from beyond the arc, and he connected on three of them.
Last season, 40% of his total attempts came from deep, so this shooting profile isn’t new. Expect him to continue firing from distance and take advantage of a soft prop number on his made threes tonight.
John Collins Under 20.5 PRA (-118)
Let’s stay out in California, but head on over to the Intuit Dome, where the Los Angeles Clippers host the Phoenix Suns. My initial best bet for this matchup was Devin Booker under 28.5 points, but with the market now moving that line down to 27.5, the value has diminished. Instead, there’s still an edge in fading John Collins’ points, rebounds, and assists prop, which sits at 20.5 with -118 juice to the under.
My projections have Collins closer to 18 PRA, giving us a strong value gap compared to the posted number. Phoenix enters this season somewhat overlooked, which should bring added motivation on the defensive end – an area that was inconsistent for them last year.
Collins posted a respectable 22% usage rate last season, but now on a roster with more ball-dominant playmakers, his overall production is likely to dip. His strong opening game, where he scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out one assist against his former team, Utah, had some revenge narrative baked in. Don’t expect a repeat performance tonight.
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