Friday’s NBA Sleeper Picks Player Predictions: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Killian Hayes, Gordon Hayward (12/8)

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 (12/8)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (G – OKC): 30.5 points

SGA has transcended All-Star status and is officially a superstar. He has been unbelievable for the Oklahoma City Thunder and continues to shine even with the addition of another mouth to feed in the form of rookie of the year candidate and 2022 2nd overall pick Chet Holmgren. Shai has averaged 30.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 2.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game on an elite .547 clip from the field. He has drained 31 or more points in five of the last six and will face off against a Golden State Warriors team relinquishing the eighth most points per game to the point guard position. SGA has faced Golden State twice this season and averages 32 points per game in those contests. He scored ‘just’ 24 in the first game but went just 6 of 21 from the field before draining 40 two nights later on 18 of 29 shooting. Steph Curry and the Warriors always put a little extra pep in SGA’s step. Rap the More on SGA for Friday night.

Pick: More

Killian Hayes (G – DET): 10.5 points

Killian Hayes has been sold since entering the starting lineup for the Detroit Pistons, scoring 23 points in his first game as a starter and following it up with nights of 13 and 12 points, respectively. He will continue to see an expanded role tonight against Orlando but will be facing one of the stingier defenses in the NBA. Still, the point total here is low enough to attack even with the tough opponent that allows the fourth fewest points per game to the shooting guard position. The Magic surrender 21.04 points per game to the position, and Hayes just has to hit 11, something he is capable of even on an off night. Dap the More on Killian for Friday night’s action.

Pick: More

Gordon Hayward (G/F – CHA): 14.5 points

Hayward has stepped up with LaMelo Ball sidelined, pouring in 17 or more points in each of the last three games. He will have a tough test tonight against a Toronto Raptors team with two All-NBA level wing defenders but should see more than enough volume to hit 15 points, even if he is forced into being inefficient from the field. He is coming off a season-high matching 27 points on Wednesday and should remain a focal point of the offense even if Terry Rozier is doing his best to get as much volume as he can. Tap the More on Hayward for Friday night.

Pick: More

Bonus

Domantas Sabonis (C – SAC): 0.5 double doubles

Sabonis double double is a favorite of this column for its high probability. It is a play to key on at least one of your tickets whenever available and makes an ideal pairing for promo lines that require you to make three picks as opposed to the two normally required. Sabonis is averaging 19 points and 11.9 rebounds per game on the season and has recorded a double double in 15 of 19 games this season. Sabonis is an excellent bet to do so again tonight against a Phoenix Suns team allowing 12.8 rebounds per game to the center position. Slap the More on Sabonis 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.