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 (4/18)
Onyeka Okongwu (C – ATL): 7.5 rebounds (alt line)
The Atlanta Hawks were decimated by the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, but still have a chance at a playoff berth tonight in what should be a much more competitive matchup against the Miami Heat. Onyeka Okongwu has been one of the bright spots of the Hawks’ season, which suffered a major blow when they lost Jalen Johnson with a torn labrum. Onyeka has been rock solid as a starter this season, averaging 15.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game across 40 contests. He has hauled in at least eight rebounds in 23 of his last 26 games played. Onyeka faced Miami three times this season, grabbing nine, eight, and nine rebounds. Opt for the More on Onyeka for Friday night at Sleeper Picks.
Pick: More
Trae Young (G – ATL): 19.5 points (alt line)
Ice Trae lost his cool during Tuesday’s loss to the Orlando Magic, but will have a chance at redemption tonight against the Miami Heat. Trae has had his struggles against Miami this season, but will be much more aggressive than he was in his first three matchups against them this season, when he took 14 or fewer shots in each. Trae jacked up 21 shots in his final game against the Heat during the regular season, scoring 29 points. Trae should take at least 20 shots tonight and should remain aggressive in getting to the charity stripe. Trae has scored 22 or more points in 16 of his last 20 games. Tap the More on Trae for Friday night’s NBA action.
Pick: More
Ja Morant (G – MEM): 19.5 points (alt line)
The Memphis Grizzlies battled back to make it a game against Golden State, but the game was never in much doubt, even when the Grizzlies pulled ahead early in the fourth quarter. Ja Morant fought his way through an ankle injury to return to try to help the Grizzlies secure the victory, but Jimmy Butler proved to be the X-factor. Now, Ja will be suiting up hobbled, in hopes of beating the Mavericks in a battle for the eighth and final playoff seed. Ja was going off prior to the injury, averaging 30.2 points per game in April and posting 29.7 per contest in March. Morant dropped 31 points both times he faced Dallas this season, but with the injury likely to limit his explosiveness, we will be opting for the 19.5 point alt line instead of the 24.5. Jab the More on Ja for Friday night play-in 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.
