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 (3/20)
Tyrese Haliburton (G – IND): 19.5 points
Haliburton continues to struggle to find a rhythm for the Indiana Pacers. He has helped Pascal Siakam make a seamless transition to the roster but has not been able to play at close to the same level that he was before the arrival of the Cameroonian big man. Tyrese has recorded 18 or fewer points in each of his last four games. There is, however, some hope for tonight as Halliburton has his best game in the Siakam era against these same Detroit Pistons. With that said, we will trail probability and recent form and stick with the Less. Tap the Less on Tyrese for Wednesday night basketball.
Pick: Less
Cade Cunningham (G – DET): 5.5 1st quarter points
Cade was a non-factor in the first quarter against the Miami Heat on Sunday but will be looking to bounce back after getting the night off on Monday. Cade has scored three or fewer first quarter points in each of his last two games, but both of those came against the Miami Heat. He recorded six or more first quarter points in each of his previous six games. Cade managed just four first quarter points in his last outing against Indiana, but that was on just three shots. The key for Cade and the Pistons (and for us tonight) is to start fast. Everyone knows the Pistons will have issues closing games out, so getting off to a hot start should be prioritized by the Pistons’ talented but underachieving roster. Expect a strong start from the Pistons star tonight. Clap the More on Cade for Wednesday night.
Pick: More
Tyrese Maxey (G – PHI): 8.5 1st quarter points
First, I’ll start by saying that 8.5 is the highest number I’ve ever touched on a first quarter line, and it feels ludicrous. It would seem like an easy Less play if I didn’t know any better, but with the 76ers also being in the Atlantic, I am keenly aware that Maxey has been going absolutely bonkers to start off games for Philly. Maxey has drained 10 or more first quarter points in each of his last five games and in six of his last seven (he scored eight in the other). Maxey averaged 12 points per first quarter over that stretch, easily leading the league in the category. Mash the More on Maxey 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.
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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.