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 (6/5)
Pascal Siakam (F – IND): 14.5 points (alt line)
Pascal should come out aggressive in Game 1 as he attempts to set the tone for the Indiana Pacers. Remember, Pascal has already been the second most important player on an NBA Championship team and will look to play the same role for Indiana. Siakam was pedestrian (by his standards) against OKC during the regular season, mustering just 16.5 points per game on .440 shooting, so he will need to dig deep against the most formidable frontcourt he has faced since the Pacers steamrolled Cleveland. Pascal has scored 15 or more points in nine straight but has failed to top the full number of 22.5 in nine of his last 12. This is an easy alt line play. Push the More on Pascal for Thursday night basketball.
Pick: More
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (G – OKC): 24.5 points (alt line)
It’s been over 10 years since the league MVP won an NBA Championship in the same season, last accomplished by Steph Curry in 2014-15. SGA has a chance, and is expected to etch his name in the record books again when he hoists the Larry O’B later this month. Shai has scored 25 or more points in 14 of his last 16 games and has scored 31 or more in seven of his last eight. Slap the More on SGA for Thursday night’s NBA action.
Pick: More
Jalen Williams (G/F – OKC): 14.5 points (alt line)
The casual now knows about Jalen Williams, the all-star who helped lead OKC to the NBA Finals. Hidden in OKC away from national broadcasts, Williams has been the reliable second option many thought Chet Holmgren would become. Yes, Chet has dealt with injuries, but Williams has taken the ‘Robin’ role by force, even when Holmgren has been healthy. Jalen has scored 19 or more in five of his last six playoff games and should have more than enough volume tonight to hit the alt line. Jab the More on Jalen for Thursday night at Sleeper Picks.
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.
