The Eastern Conference Finals begin in Boston tonight with the Celtics a heavy favorite over the Pacers. There are some great spots to attack with our best Sleeper Fantasy predictions today, be it a buy back opportunity or a tough overall matchup… or a nifty Jayson Tatum discount! It’s already an uphill battle for Indy as they are getting 10 points on the road, but with a 222 total, there’s a solid opportunity the Celtics play a little slower. We all know how quick the Pacers get up and down, so let’s see how that battle plays out with our top Sleeper plays of the night!
Plus, you get tonight’s free square, Jayson Tatum over 0.5 Points.
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Sleeper Fantasy Predictions Today — NBA Slate
Pick on Sale: Jayson Tatum M/L Than 0.5 Points
This is our pick on sale for tonight’s action, but we still recommend playing the bottom two picks for a 5x card.
Derrick White M/L Than 24.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
The Celtics got a nice little bump from Derrick White against the Cavaliers, but that fizzled after a few games. He played a little better in the closeout game but struggled for a stretch. He’s not going to get that type of shot volume again, 17 attempts in Game 5, as Boston is just better off exploiting other matchups. Both teams are fine playing small, but the Celtics can swallow this Pacers team, ultimately slowing down the game to an uncomfortable pace for Indy.
The line moved from 21.5 PRA to now 24.5, and with White’s inability to dominate either of the other markets – rebounds or assists – he’s a hard fade. He’d need to score 18+ points in order to clear this number but will have to make way for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Even without Kristaps Porzingis, there are other guys on the floor who can vulture rebounds and assists, namely Jrue Holiday.
This is a star driven game tonight in Boston. At least one of their dynamic duo is going off on the national stage in front of the home crowd, and with the Pacers defense just atrocious on the road, there’s a good chance it’s both.
Sleeper Prediction: Derrick White LESS Than 24.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
Tyrese Haliburton M/L Than 4.5 Rebounds
Rebounding is going to be the most difficult area for Tyrese Haliburton. The Celitcs backcourt is aggressive on the glass combined with a slower tempo and less overall possessions. The last round against the Knicks proved to be tough to crack anything higher than 6 boards, and this matchup should prove tougher. Even with Jaylen Brown hanging, the Celtics move effortlessly from guard to wing in keeping a player like Haliburton off the glass. The Pacers were able to push a faster tempo with the Knicks, so we expect them to face a far more difficult scenario against the Celtics.
Haliburton did pass this number in three of seven games against New York, but failed to hit more than 6 overall rebounds. He faced a physical opponent hellbent on defending and rebounding. That’s a less talented version of what he faces tonight in Boston. Even if the Pacers are allowed to push tempo, it will be at the behest of the Celtics, more often in a comfortable lead keeping Indy at arm’s length. Haliburton is going to have to earn every rebound and is better served attacking the Celtics and distributing off the bounce. Take LESS than 4.5 rebounds.
Sleeper Prediction: Tyrese Haliburton LESS Than 4.5 Rebounds
