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 (2/1)
Tobias Harris (F – PHI): 24.5 points
Harris has had to step up with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey dealing with injuries, but the results have been inconsistent. The Sixers are riding a four game losing streak, and Embiid is day-to-day after being injured on Monday and will miss tonight’s contest. Maxey, however, is trending in the right direction, which will sap some of Harris’ volume. Tobias has scored 25+ points just once in his past seven games and in just six contests all season. If Maxey gets the start tonight as expected, Tobias is going to have a difficult time trying 25+ points. Tap the Less on Harris for Thursday night.
Pick: Less
OG Anunoby (G/F – NYK): 1.5 steals + blocks
OG has been set back at 1.5 for tonight’s game, and it’s a total to jump on. OG has missed the last two games with injury but has recorded at least two StOcks in each of his last six games played. Averaging a career-high 2.9 StOcks per game as a member of the Knicks, this is a total to ride with until OG dissuades us with a mega cold streak or Sleeper Picks sets it back at 2.5. This was about to be a three Less play day with Kelly Oubre in this spot, but OG came on the board in time to prevent that. Mash the More on OG for Thursday night basketball.
Pick: More
Lauri Markkanen (F – UTA): 1.5 steals + blocks
If you are a regular reader, you will know that there are four plays that have been favored by this column this year: OG Anunoby More than two StOcks (when he’s locked in), Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis double double (for obvious reasons), and Lauri Markkannen Less on the two StOck total. Markkanen has the length to be a nightly StOck factor but expends enough energy on the offensive end that he does not get in passing lanes and deflect shots as much a 7 footer with decent quicks should. Markkanen has recorded more than one StOck in just one of his past eight games and has failed to hit two StOcks in 13 of his last 16 contests overall. This is an all season ride; if you see any of those totals listed above the night before, it is best to lock them in immediately to secure the best multiplier possible. Lock in the Less on Lauri for Thursday 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.
