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 (2/6)
Paolo Banchero (F – ORL): 4.5 assists
Banchero has been exceptional recently but remains susceptible to poor nights from the field that can cause him to fall under his point total. Luckily, Banchero has also been cooking in the assist department, giving us another angle to attack with the exciting young big man. I have to admit that I was shocked when I saw the line at just 4.5, as his recent run suggests 5.5 at a minimum and perhaps a 6.5 to trap More bettors. Paolo has dished out six or more dimes in six straight games, eight of nine, and 10 of 13. Banchero averaged 5.7 assists per game in January and is averaging 6.5 per contest in two February games. Banchero has already faced Miami three times this season, recording eight and two assists in the two home games and six assists in the road game. Expect Banchero to hit at least five tonight at the Kaseya Center. Bump the More on Banchero for Tuesday night’s action.
Pick: More
Lauri Markkanen (F – UTA): 1.5 steals + blocks
I initially had DeMar DeRozan More than 4.5 assists, but I took long enough to write his portion that one of our favorite plays appeared on the board. Markkanen has failed to hit two StOcks in 15 of his last 18 games, but with at least one steal in five of his last six, he will continue to be out on the board at 1.5 StOcks. The steal line at 0.5 may have some value based on his recent play, but the Less on the 1.5 StOcks remains an elite-level play until Markkanen goes on a StOck run. Lauri had one steal and zero blocks in his lone game against the Oklahoma City Thunder this season. Light up the Less on Lauri for Tuesday night basketball.
Pick: More
Alperen Sengun (C – HOU): 9.5 rebounds
Averaging 9.3 rebounds per game on the season, Alperen Sengun has recorded 10 or more boards in nine of his last 10 games. He has played at an All-Star level this season and only continues to get better. Tonight, he squares off against All-Star Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat. Despite the Heat’s strong defense in the postseason, they allow an exploitable 14.59 rebounds per game to the center position. Slap the More on Sengun for Tuesday 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.