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 (12/29)
Domantas Sabonis (C – SAC): 0.5 double doubles
Sabonis has been a walking double double this season, hitting the mark in 25 of his 29 games played this season. He is averaging 12.1 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game and has notched a triple double in three of his last five. He has recorded a double double in each of his last 12 games. This is our favorite play whenever it is available at Sleeper Picks, and thankfully, it stays on the board for much longer than the Nikola Jokic line despite Sabonis and Jokic failing to hit the double double mark in four games apiece. The Kings take on an Atlanta Hawks team relinquishing the sixth most rebounds per game to the center position at 15.56 per contest. Slap the More on Sabonis for Friday night.
Pick: More
De’Aaron Fox (G – SAC): 30.5 points
Fox has cooled down a bit following a scorching hot start to the season but has an excellent opportunity to top the gaudy 30.5 point total tonight against a defensive-deficient Atlanta Hawks team allowing the fourth most points per game on the season. They have been relatively solid against the point guard position this season, allowing 23.73 points per game, but will have their hands full against Fox, especially when Trae Young is in coverage. The presence of Domantas Sabonis makes the pairing a nightmare to guard, especially in actions where they work off of each other. This play is all about opponent, as Fox has hit 31 points in just six of his last 14 games played. Dap the More on Fox for Friday night if your comfort level is there.
Pick: More
Jalen Brunson (G – NYK): 5.5 assists
I thought long and hard about the point total of 26.5 since Brunson has dropped 27 or more in three of his last five, but the assist line has the higher probability. Set at just 5.5 assists despite being set at 6.5 in each of the last five games, there is some inherent value here. Yes, they dropped it to attract the More plays, but Brunson has been locked in as a facilitator over the last 30 days, averaging 6.9 assists per game. He has topped six assists in 17 of his last 20 games played and will be facing an Orlando Magic team surrendering 7.53 assists per contest. Bump the More on Brunson for Friday night.
Pick: More
Writers note: The lines are constantly changing on Sleeper (and sometimes expiring), 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.