Top NBA Player Props for the games on 1/2/2026
- Lee Shipley
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Happy New Year! We have an action-packed 10-game NBA slate for Friday, January 2nd, 2026. We have teamed up with Pine Sports AI on this one and crunched the numbers, analyzed the defensive matchups, and synthesized the latest news to bring you the top player prop opportunities on the board.
Here are the top 5-star recommendations for today’s games!
Kristaps Porzingis (Atlanta Hawks) Over 13.5 Points
Recommendation: Kristaps Porzingis Over 13.5 Points
Bet this at Polymarket
Confidence Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recent Performance:
Kristaps Porzingishas been on an absolute tear lately. Over his last 5 games, he has hit the over on this 13.5-point line in 100% of contests, averaging a robust 21.8 points per game. His consistency extends further back as well, hitting the over in 9 of his last 10 games (90%) and 13 of his last 15 (86.67%). For the season, he is clearing this line at a 92.86% clip.
Matchup Analysis:
Porzingis and the Hawks travel to Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks. While the Knicks defense is generally solid, they rank 14th in the league against opposing Bigs. Porzingis is currently the focal point of the Hawks' interior offense, leading all position players on the team with a 25.1 usage rate (92nd percentile).
News & Advanced Metrics:
Since moving to Atlanta, Porzingis has seen his efficiency skyrocket. He currently ranks in the 100th percentile for points per game among Bigs on the roster (18.9 PPG). His true shooting percentage of 62.8% (80th percentile) indicates that he isn't just high-volume; he's incredibly effective. With the Hawks playing at the 3rd fastest pace in the league (103.09), there will be plenty of possessions for Porzingis to reach this relatively low line.
Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) Over 2.5 3pt Field Goals
Recommendation: Kon Knueppel Over 2.5 3pt Field Goals
Bet this at DraftKings
Confidence Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recent Performance:
The rookie sensation Kon KnueppelKon Knueppel has become a flamethrower from deep. He has cleared 2.5 made threes in each of his last 5 games, averaging a staggering 4.4 makes per game in that span. Over his last 10 games, he has hit the over 90% of the time. Even more impressive is his performance on the road, where he has hit the over in 15 of 16 games (93.75%) this season.
Matchup Analysis:
The Hornets face a Milwaukee Bucks defense that has struggled significantly to contain perimeter shooters. The Bucks rank 22nd in the NBA in defense against the Wing position for three-pointers. Knueppel has already faced Milwaukee twice this season and hit the over in both contests, averaging 3.5 makes.
News & Advanced Metrics:
Knueppel has carved out a massive role in the Hornets' offense, ranking in the 85th percentile for usage rate among Wings. His efficiency is elite for a high-volume shooter, ranking in the 89th percentile for points per shot attempt (1.29). Charlotte ranks 5th in the league in three-pointers attempted (41.1 per game), and Knueppel is the primary beneficiary of that scheme.
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Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks) Over 16.5 Points + Rebounds
Recommendation: Dyson Daniels Over 16.5 Points + Rebounds
Bet this at Fanduel
Confidence Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recent Performance:
Dyson Danielshas been a model of consistency for the Hawks' secondary unit. He has hit the over on this combo line in 80% of his last 5 games and 90% of his last 10. Over that 10-game stretch, he is averaging 20.7 combined points and rebounds, well above the 16.5 line set for tomorrow.
Matchup Analysis:
The Knicks rank 13th in defense against the Wing position for this specific combo prop. In his one meeting against New York this season, Daniels recorded 21 points + rebounds, clearing this line with ease. While the Knicks play at a slower pace (24th in NBA), the Hawks' 3rd-ranked pace should force this game into a higher-possession affair.
News & Advanced Metrics:
Daniels is currently leading all Wings on the Hawks' roster in points (11.5 PPG) and rebounds (6.5 RPG). He is in the 100th percentile for both categories among his position group on the team. His ability to contribute on the glass (2.3 offensive rebounds per game, 100th percentile) provides a high floor for this prop even if his shot isn't falling.
Brandin Podziemski (Golden State Warriors) Over 13.5 Points + Assists
Recommendation: Brandin Podziemski Over 13.5 Points + Assists
Bet this at DraftKings
Confidence Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recent Performance:
Podziemski has seen an uptick in his playmaking and scoring responsibilities recently. He has cleared 13.5 points + assists in 80% of his last 5 and last 10 games. When playing at the Chase Center this season, he has been even more reliable, hitting the over in 11 of 14 home games (78.57%) while averaging 17.14 P+A.
Matchup Analysis:
The Warriors face the Oklahoma City Thunder in what should be a high-level Western Conference battle. While OKC has an elite defense, they rank 2nd in the league against the Combo position, which often forces the ball out of the primary star's hands and into the hands of secondary playmakers like Podziemski.
News & Advanced Metrics:
The value lies in his efficiency and role within Steve Kerr's system. He ranks in the 79th percentile for effective field goal percentage (56.1%) and the 78th percentile for assists among Combo guards. With the Warriors ranking 4th in the league in assist percentage (69.7%), Podziemski is a vital cog in their ball-movement-heavy offense.