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 (1/17)
Paolo Banchero (F – ORL): 27.5 points
This was initially going to be a Less play on Brandon Ingram, but this massive total was beckoning. Banchero has been excellent this season but has only managed 28 or more points in 10 of his 40 games played this season. He is averaging just 22.8 points per game on the season but will continue to see more volume with Franz Wagner set to be sidelined yet again. Paolo went nuts the first two games that Franz missed but has scored 18, 25, 20, and 20 in his last four games without Franz. Averaging a healthy 25.0 points per game without Franz in the lineup, this number should indeed be inflated, but it seems that Sleeper Picks has gone a tad too far in trying to roast More bettors this time. Banchero did light the Hawks up for 35 points just a few games ago but has scored 20 or fewer points in three of his four games since. Push the Less on Paolo for Wednesday night.
Pick: More
Damian Lillard (G – MIL): 23.5 points
Lillard has scored 27 or more points in each of his last two games. He looks more energized when playing against other top combo guards and should be completely up for another matchup against Donovan Mitchell, a player he may be competing against for a spot on this year’s all-star team. Dame dropped 31 on the Cavs earlier this season and should be good for at least 24 tonight. Cleveland has surrendered 25.15 points per game to the point guard position this season. Dap the More on Dame for Wednesday night.
Pick: More
Jaden Ivey (F – ORL) (G – DET): 17.5 points
Ivey has scored at least 18 points in his last four games and should keep the good times rolling tonight, with Cade Cunningham set to be sidelined for a fifth straight game. Ivey will need just a few trips to the line to offset his inefficiency, as he has put up at least 17 shots in each of his last four. Tonight, he’ll face off against a Minnesota Timberwolves team allowing 24.29 points per game to the point guard position. Jab the More on Jaden for Wednesday night’s action.
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.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.
