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 (1/23)
Nikola Jokic (C – DEN): 0.5 double doubles
Jokic double double is our new favorite play due to Domantas Sabonis double double now pulling a early season Jokic and expiring within hours of being posted. The Joker has recorded 37 double doubles in 43 games and, after a mini rough patch, is back to being the Jokic we know and love. Nikola has recorded a double double in six straight games and is averaging 11.9 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game on the season. Tonight, he will face off against an Indiana Pacers team surrendering 13.74 rebounds per game to the center position. The Joker put up 25 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists on the Pacers last weekend and should threaten another double double tonight. Jab the More on Jokic for Tuesday night.
Pick: More
OG Anunoby (G/F – NYK): 1.5 steals + blocks
OG is back in his bag and looks to have found his second wind in his contract year. Now all but assured to get the max contract he was seeking, OG is back to being a menace on defense. OG two StOcks was the line we were trailing to start the season, and with Anunoby’s inspired play as of late, this play is back on the radar, especially on a relatively quiet Tuesday slate in terms of enticing options. OG has recorded two or more StOcks in six of his last seven games played and is set to face off against a Brooklyn Nets surrendering 2.02 StOcks per game. This is far from the sure thing it was to open the season, but his recent form has put this total back in the mix. Push the More on OG for Tuesday night.
Pick: More
Lauri Markkanen (F – UTA): 1.5 steals + blocks
Markkanen StOcks play? Yes, that’s where we are on a quiet Tuesday night with more than a few inflated lines sapping value. Lauri has proven he can hit the two StOcks under the right conditions but has only done so twice in his last 10 games. When he gets hot in those categories, he is worth a More look as he does have a five consecutive game streak in his pocket from earlier this season, but Markkanen simply isn’t a nightly two StOcks threat. Lap the Less on Lauri for Tuesday night.
Pick: Less
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.
