Every night of the 2025-26 NBA season gives us a fresh set of games and numbers to pick apart. This daily column digs into the best sides and totals on the board, using in-depth basketball analysis, betting trends, and our VSiN NBA betting splits to spot value. We’ll also be tackling these slates relentlessly on our live VSiN programming, which is why basketball fans should really consider a VSiN Pro subscription. Below you’ll find some NBA picks and predictions for January 2.
MORE: Check out the VSiN Pro Picks page for more bets from our talented hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today – Friday, January 2
Wizards +1.5 (-110) vs. Nets
Nets at Wizards – 7:00 pm ET
The Nets are coming off a 24-point loss to the Rockets last night. They then had to travel from New York to D.C. for this meeting with the Wizards, and I think this is a really good spot to back Washington. The Nets are 6-14 straight-up and 8-12 against the spread when playing on back-to-back days under Jordi Fernandez. They’re also just 6-6 SU when playing as favorites.
The Wizards are also playing some good basketball lately. They have won three of their last four games, and they’re also 7-3 ATS over the last 10 contests. Their advanced numbers also happen to look better. While Washington has a league-worst net rating of -11.5 on the season, the team is at -2.3 over the last 10 games. It just feels like this young group is starting to figure things out.
Washington is also more talented than Brooklyn — and I’m not sure it’s even close. That said, the only real advantage the Nets have over the Wizards is Fernandez’s coaching ability.
Hawks +7.5 (-105) vs. Knicks
Hawks at Knicks – 7:30 pm ET
There’s a chance we’ll see Trae Young for the Hawks tonight, and he absolutely loves playing at Madison Square Garden. So, while people love to note that Atlanta is better without him, I think he can be an asset here. However, regardless of Young’s status, the Hawks are getting too many points tonight.
This Knicks team is is just 1-6-1 ATS over the last eight games, and Josh Hart remains out for New York. He’s a crucial player for this Knicks team, as he always brings intensity on defense and crashes the glass hard. Mitchell Robinson is also listed as questionable for New York, and that’s important to watch here. If he’s out, this suddenly becomes a game the Hawks can win outright. New York has looked relatively soft without Hart and Robinson over the last couple of games.
The Hawks are also coming off a great win over the Timberwolves, and they’re 17-14 ATS under Quin Snyder when playing teams with winning percentages of 70% or higher. They also have a winning ATS record when playing as road underdogs under Snyder.
Additional Best Bets (Parlays, Teasers, Futures)
PARLAY: Pelicans Alt +7.5 vs. Blazers & Thunder ML vs. Warriors (-132)
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2025-26 NBA Record: 229-208 (+16.92 units)
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