NBA Player Props: Odds, Picks and Best Bets for January 2nd

Tonight's NBA slate delivers premium betting opportunities with three marquee matchups featuring the league's elite talent. The spotlight shines brightest on the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the Golden State Warriors, where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Stephen Curry will showcase contrasting styles in what projects as a high-octane affair.

Best NBA Player Props for Jan. 2

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets travel to Cleveland to battle the Cavaliers, setting up intriguing scenarios around Nikola Jokić's potential absence and Jamal Murray's expanded role. In the Eastern Conference, Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks, featuring dynamic scorer Trae Young and rising forward Jalen Johnson.

Key injury situations are reshaping usage patterns across these contests, creating value opportunities for sharp prop bettors. We've analyzed matchup dynamics, pace projections, and personnel changes to identify the most compelling wagers. Our approach focuses on situational advantages and statistical trends rather than public sentiment, delivering actionable insights for each team taking the court tonight.

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Top NBA Player Props for January 2

We've identified the highest-value proposition for every team in action tonight. These selections capitalize on matchup advantages, injury-related usage spikes, and favorable game scripts that should create optimal conditions for our targeted players.

Featured Prop Selections

Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 Points (-110)

The Hawks enter this contest struggling to contain primary ball-handlers in halfcourt sets. Brunson has performed well in recent home games, particularly when facing teams with struggling defenses. With Josh Hart sidelined, Brunson's usage rate projects to climb above his season average of 31.6%, creating additional scoring opportunities through isolation plays and pick-and-roll actions.

Stephen Curry Over 4.5 Made 3-Pointers (-111)

This game environment favors Curry's explosive three-point tendencies. The Thunder play at a fast pace, typically generating additional shot attempts for opposing teams. Curry has performed well in three-point shooting when facing teams that push tempo. The Warriors' home court advantage becomes crucial here, as Curry shoots 39% from deep at Chase Center, a stronger percentage than on the road.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 1.5 Steals (-117)

SGA is a strong defensive player, frequently recording multiple steals per game this season. The Warriors' play often leads to turnovers, creating additional opportunities for active hands in passing lanes. This prop particularly benefits from the projected fast-paced nature of the contest, as increased possessions directly correlate with steal opportunities for elite defenders.

Critical NBA Injury Report for Player Props

Personnel changes significantly impact tonight's betting landscape. These key absences create ripple effects that smart prop bettors can exploit through adjusted usage patterns and matchup advantages.

• Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets) - OUT (Knee Injury): The reigning MVP's absence fundamentally alters Denver's offensive structure. Jamal Murray takes on increased playmaking responsibilities in contests without Jokić, historically showing an elevated assist average. This usage spike makes Murray's assist prop particularly attractive against Cleveland's defense, which can allow a notable number of assists.

• Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) - OUT (Rest): Green's absence weakens Golden State's perimeter defense and removes their primary facilitator from the second unit. This creates additional driving lanes for opposing guards and reduces the Warriors' ability to generate deflections, benefiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's steal prop while potentially increasing Stephen Curry's three-point attempts as the offense becomes more perimeter-focused.

• Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) - Questionable (Quad): Young's potential absence would dramatically shift Atlanta's offensive hierarchy. Jalen Johnson has shown increased production in games Young has missed this season, making his combined prop extremely valuable if the All-Star guard cannot suit up.

• Josh Hart (New York Knicks) - OUT (Ankle): Hart's versatility typically absorbs around 9-10 shot attempts per game. His absence consolidates offensive opportunities around Jalen Brunson, who has averaged an increased number of field goal attempts in games without Hart this season.

Game-by-Game Matchup Analysis

Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks

Hawks Best Bet: Jalen Johnson Over 32.5 Points + Rebounds (-122)
Knicks Best Bet: Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 Points (-110)

Johnson's expanded role continues evolving as Atlanta's secondary scorer behind Young. He's averaging 25.4 points and 10.1 rebounds over his last 9 games, with the combination total exceeding 32.5 in seven of those contests. The Knicks allow a considerable number of rebounds per game to opposing forwards. Johnson's athleticism should create second-chance opportunities while his improved three-point shooting (37.3% this season) adds another scoring dimension.

Brunson thrives against Atlanta's switching defense, which struggles to contain quick guards in isolation situations. The Hawks struggle with opponent field goal percentage on drives to the basket, allowing Brunson to attack his preferred spots in the paint. Madison Square Garden provides an additional boost, as Brunson shoots 48.1% from the field at home, a better percentage than on the road.

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Denver Nuggets @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Nuggets Best Bet: Jamal Murray Over 7.5 Assists (-127)
Cavaliers Best Bet: Jarrett Allen Over 8.5 Rebounds (-121)

Murray becomes Denver's primary orchestrator without Jokić anchoring the offense. The Nuggets will lean heavily on pick-and-roll actions with Murray as the initiator, targeting Cleveland's switching defense that can be vulnerable on ball screens. Murray's assist rate significantly increases when Jokić is unavailable, creating a clear path to this total against a Cavaliers team that plays at a fast pace.

Allen faces minimal frontcourt resistance with Aaron Gordon and Jonas Valančiūnas also sidelined for Denver. The Nuggets' makeshift interior will struggle to contain Allen's activity on the offensive glass, where he ranks sixth among centers in offensive rebounding rate. Cleveland typically generates 16.39 second-chance points per game, suggesting multiple extra possessions for Allen to accumulate rebounds.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors

Thunder Best Bet: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 1.5 Steals (-117)
Warriors Best Bet: Stephen Curry Over 4.5 Made 3-Pointers (-111)

SGA's defensive instincts shine in transition-heavy contests. The Warriors' style of play often involves many passes, providing multiple opportunities for active hands to disrupt ball movement. Golden State's turnover rate tends to increase in games without Green, as his absence removes their most reliable decision-maker in pressure situations. SGA has frequently recorded 2+ steals this season, making this conservative line attractive.

Curry enters an ideal game script for three-point volume. The Thunder can be vulnerable from three-point range in their defense. Oklahoma City's switching scheme often creates mismatches that Curry can exploit, particularly against their forward-heavy rotation. The Warriors have shown a high volume of three-point attempts in recent home games, with Curry accounting for a significant portion of those looks when healthy.