Welcome to Sleeper Picks. Sleeper’s newest offering promised plenty of entertainment and action, and they delivered. We will break down our top three picks for tonight’s NBA action. Sleeper is quickly becoming one of the most popular season-long fantasy platforms, and they are expanding into other areas based on demand. Each week in this space, we’ll talk about some strategy for the new platform while providing our favorite NBA more/less picks.
NBA Sleeper Picks Player Predictions (11/9)
Paolo Banchero (F – ORL): 4.5 assists
Banchero looks like a completely different player this season. After being one of the most inefficient big men we have seen come into the NBA in a while, especially given that sort of volume, Banchero has turned things around in his second season. Banchero shot just .427 from the field in 2022, but with better decision-making and an increased emphasis on setting up his teammates, Banchero is sitting at a shocking .477 on the young season. On the whole, he is averaging 18.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists on .477 shooting. The assist totals have been incredible. Banchero has recorded four or more assists in every game this season and has recorded five or more in five of seven games played. 4.5 assists is high, but the total makes sense based on his performances this season. Banchero is averaging 5.6 assists per game on the season and will be facing an Orlando Magic team allowing a league-high 5.53 assists per game to the power forward position. Bump the More on Banchero for Thursday night.
Pick: More
Franz Wagner (F – ORL): 1.5 three pointers made
Franz Wagner has continued his strong play from 2022 to the 2023 season. He is averaging 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. His field goal percentage has been unsightly at .397, but as a career .472 shooter, he is certain to correct this sooner or later. He is averaging two three pointers per game on the season but has only drained one in each of his last two contests. On the season as a whole, Wagner has hit two or more three pointers in five of his seven games. The matchup also suggests a More play, as the Atlanta Hawks have allowed 2.59 three pointers per game to the small forward position. He will probably have another poor shooting night from the field, but he will jack up enough threes to give himself an excellent chance of draining at least two for the sixth time in eight games.
Pick: More
Dejounte Murray (G – ATL): 21.5 points
Dejounte has been excellent for the Atlanta Hawks to start the season. He is averaging 22.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists on .500 shooting. The points and field goal percentage are both career highs. Tonight, he will face off against an Orlando Magic team giving up 20.6 points per game to the shooting guard position. Murray has scored 20 or more points in four straight games and 24 or more in three of his last four. Dejpunte should continue to be the steady force in the Hawks’ backcourt against a young and unproven Magic stable of guards. Dap the More on Dejounte for Thursday night.
Pick: More
Writers note: The lines are constantly changing on Sleeper, so there is a high probability that one or all of the numbers may no longer be the same when you open your app. There are excellent values when they are first posted, with the only catch being that they are not all released at the same time. Vigilance could provide a solid return on investment this season, literally.
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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.