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 (3/14)
Kevin Durant (F – PHX): 19.5 points (alt line)
The Phoenix Suns remain in the play-in race but with no one giving them a realistic chance even if they do sneak into the playoffs, musing about KD’s next destination is at the forefront of most discussions involving the Suns. KD will have considerable leverage when it comes to choosing his next destination as a refusal to sign an extension beforehand could limit the Suns options as well as their potential return. A return to OKC could make some sense, given the Thunder’s wealth of assets and Durant’s ability to play off ball. Cleveland and Houston should also have the pieces to make a strong offer. The question is whether any of these young and rising teams will want to gut their depth and assets for a 37 year old Durant. Back to the present, KD is averaging 26.8 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in 37 of his last 40 games played. Light up the More on KD for Friday night basketball.
Pick: More
Ja Morant (G – MEM): 19.5 points (alt line)
Ja remains one of the most exciting players in the NBA, but unless you frequent the basketball highlights on SportsCenter or are actually watching Memphis games, you wouldn’t even know. Emerging as the face of the league prior to his off court incidents, Ja is in need of some serious image rehabilitation. Enter his post Dunk Competition tweet stating that Mac McClung made him interested in participating next season. Whether this is due to him being tired of watching a undrafted G-Leaguer with five total NBA games played in five years win three straight competitions or that he was inspired by Mac is neither here nor there if he actually signs up because Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zach LaVine, and Aaron Gordon all sound ready to compete if Ja follows through and enters next year’s contest. The Memphis Grizzlies appear poised to make some noise in the playoffs, and Ja continuing to round back into his pre drama form is going to key to them having the type of success they are hoping for. Ja has scored 28.8 points per game in March and has dropped 20 or more points in each of his last nine games played. Jab the More on Ja for Friday night at Sleeper Picks.
Pick: More
Paolo Banchero (F – ORL): 19.5 points (alt line)
Paolo has been sensational since the all-star break, averaging 31.5 points per game on .486 shooting. For context, he averaged 22.5 points per game on an atrocious .427 shooting prior to All-Star Weekend. Banchero has now scored 20 or more points in 11 of his last 12 games, topping 25 in four of his last five. Push the More on Paolo for Friday night’s NBA 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.
