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 (5/17)
Tyrese Haliburton: 2.5 threes (alt line)
There is no reason for the original total to be at 3.5 tonight after Haliburton took just nine shots in Game 5, with just one of them being a three point make. It does, however, prevent us from getting an ever-so-sweet 1.5 three alt line, so at least there’s that. Haliburton has drained four or more threes in three of his last four games. He will, or at least should, be much more aggressive tonight, even if he spends a portion of the night off-ball. Tyrese has taken nine or fewer shots in two of the Pacers’ three losses in this series. Expect that fact to be hammered home by teammates, coaches, and media alike. Hit the More on Haliburton for Game 6.
Pick: More
Jalen Brunson (G – NYK): 8.5 1st quarter points
Brunson has started hot a couple of times in this series but has fallen under nine first quarter points in three of the five games in this series. We all know he is capable of exploding in the first, especially when he is propelling himself towards a 25+ shot night. Brunson scored 10 first quarter points in Game 5 and 10 in Game 1, but managed just 5, 2, and 1 point in Games 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Look for Brunson to look to get his teammates going early in this one, as he will need some help if the Knicks are to make good on their opportunity to put the Indiana Pacers away tonight. This could lead to less first quarter volume, which in most instances would be fewer than nine points in the first. Bump the Less on Brunson for Game 6.
Pick: Less
Josh Hart (G – NYK): 9.5 points (alt line)
Hart has been more rebounder than scorer in this series but is going to need to contribute in the points department tonight to give the Knicks their best opportunity to close out this series. Hart has scored 10 or more points in four of the five games in this series but has conversely scored 10 or fewer in two of his last three. The alt line pushes down this total to where probability lies with the More, but it’s closer than we would usually include in this column. Hart will hit double figures as long as he expends some of his aggression on offense. Hit the More on Hart for Game 6.
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.
