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)
LeBron James (G/F – LAL): 19.5 points (alt line)
LeBron should have all the volume he can handle tonight after yet another trade sent Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish out of town. I have thoughts about sending out an unprotected first for Mark Williams, but have no qualms about the Luka Doncic and Williams fit. LeBron is probable for tonight, and we know Luka will not be playing. Williams should be in the building but is currently doubtful due to the trade happening just prior to midnight. The 24.5 alt line was the plan here, but since the trends don’t support it, we will list the 19.5 instead. LeBron has scored 20 or more points in each of his last 11 games. LeBron dropped 25 on the Warriors just six games ago. Light up the More on LeBron for Thursday night’s NBA action.
Pick: More
Domantas Sabonis (C – SAC): 0.5 double doubles
Domantas Sabonis being snubbed again is plain idiocy on the part of the coaches who voted for the all-star reserves. Domantas has been excellent once again this season and comes into tonight averaging 20.6 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. The rebound average leads the league and is the main reason Sabonis also leads the league with 44 double doubles in 47 games played. Domantas actually missed the mark when he faced OKC three games ago, which ensures that he will be unable to match or surpass the all-time NBA record of 77 double doubles he set last season (he has missed three games due to injury). Domantas went 16-13 in his first meeting against Portland this season before dropping a 21-14-11 triple double in their last meeting. Dap the More on Domantas for Thursday night at Sleeper Picks.
Pick: More
Norman Powell (G/F – LAC): 19.5 points (alt line)
Norman Powell being snubbed from the all-star game was not the most egregious snub, but he was probably the only candidate who will likely never be considered again. Powell has always been a talent, but he will likely never have as large and consistent of a role as he had in the first half of this season for the Clippers. Averaging 24.0 points per game on the season, Norm has scored 20 or more points in each of his last nine games. Hitting these numbers when Kawhi Leonard was sidelined was one thing, but still putting them up with him healthy is another entirely. Push the More on Powell for Thursday night basketball.
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.
