There is just one game on tap tonight in the NBA, and it’s a big one — so big that Sleeper has a new-user pick on sale just for signing up! The Knicks outlasted the Pacers in a faster game, one that blew through the posted total. Injury concerns remain on the Knicks side as Mitchell Robinson is sidelined for the remainder of the season, but Jalen Brunson looks to continue his historic tear of 40-point games. The Pacers should have their hands full, so let’s build this 5x entry with some Sleeper Fantasy predictions!
Sleeper Fantasy Predictions Today — NBA Slate
Pick on Sale: Tyrese Haliburton More 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 entry.
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Obi Toppin M/L Than 4.5 Rebounds
One bright spot for the Pacers came in 19 minutes from Obi Toppin, who scored 12 points and grabbed six boards in the process. The reality is that Toppin’s time was extending with his knocking down shots, but there won’t be as much room for rebounding tonight. The Knicks are getting thin and will continue to run starters deep into the game, with multiple players hitting 40-plus. Toppin’s only true shot at hitting five boards again rests on how much bench he faces.
This is also a player who averaged just 3.9 rebounds on the season but played over that in the first round due to more minutes. If anything, this game may slow down at the expense of the Pacers, as the Knicks are running the risk of grinding their guys to the ground, especially if they match the Pacers’ tempo. Toppin will stay below this number tonight as New York plays even tougher on the glass.
There’s a slight edge on OddsShopper’s Pick’em Tool, as we get a 1.3% EV edge against the market. The implied odds for this less than play are -147, which beats the -157 true price of the play.
Sleeper Prediction: Obi Toppin Less Than 4.5 Rebounds
Isaiah Hartenstein M/L Than 9.5 Rebounds
No Robinson means more Isaiah Hartenstein. The Knicks are running out of options upfront, as their two-man tower game took a hit by shutting down Robinson. The Pacers aren’t dominating in the paint, nor do they have the horses to slow down Hartenstein. The 76ers had enough trouble, and now with less in his way, Hartenstein should have a clearer path to 10 rebounds. He may hit a 40-minute night, as Robinson accounted for 12 minutes in Game 1 and Precious Achiuwa only four. The latter may get a bump, but not enough to limit starter minutes for Hartenstein.
Hartenstein had just six rebounds in the first game, as teammates O.G. Anunoby and Jalen Brunson helped carry the load. Then there’s Josh Hart, the team’s soul on the glass. We have two strategies where each one could play out, resulting in this number going more than 9.5 rebounds. The first is a slower game with more minutes for Hartenstein, giving him more control of the offensive glass. This is going to be a sweet spot for him to help push this number over its total. The second scenario is another fast-paced game where there will be more rebounding opportunities through shot volume alone. We already know he’s going to be on the floor more, so that bodes well for Hartenstein.
Sleeper Prediction: Isaiah Hartenstein More Than 9.5 Rebounds
