NBA Sleeper Top Picks & Plays, Featuring Buddy Hield & Anthony Edwards - Nov 24, 2023
There are 8 games around the association tonight as the NBA in-season tournament is in full swing still and teams are looking to compete in their respective group stages. There are many good games on the board tonight, but we are going to be targeting a Western Conference clash between the Sacramento Kings and the Minnesota Timberwolves, and a high-octane offense in the Indiana Pacers! Let's talk about them!
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NBA Sleeper Top Picks & Plays
Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers
Since being inserted into the Pacer's starting five two games ago, Hield has come on very strong with his shooting. Seeing 30 and 35 minutes in the last two games, while shooting a blistering 71% and 82% from the field in those two games, including shooting a scorching 13-of-18 (72%) from three-point range in route to scoring 24 and 31 actual points against the Hawks and Raptors. I am fully expecting Buddy to remain in the starting five, especially with the Pacers dealing with injuries, and that means we will be playing his points prop tonight against a Detroit Pistons team that is allowing an overall average of 23.9 PPG per game to the SG position this year currently, which ranks 7th MOST in the league. This game does have the Pacers as decent favorites here at home, but the 245.5-point total is too good to pass up a spot like this for Hield.
Pick: Buddy Hield More than 17.5 Points (1.80x)
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Targeting Edwards here tonight at home vs the Sacramento Kings, but it isn't the points or rebounds we are looking at here - it is his assist prop that Sleeper has at 4.5! Every other respective prop site has 5 or more for his prop, and at certain sportsbooks he is nearly -160 @ the 4.5 assist line posted. We are fully going to take advantage of great odds here on Sleeper for this prop. Here is why! Edwards has posted at least 5 or more assists in all but ONE home game so far this season with assist totals of: 7, 1, 6, 7, 8, 5, and, 6. How has he fared against Sacramento Kings, you ask? Dating back to last season he has faced them four times and his assists recorded were 6, 5, 8, and 7. So far this season, Edwards is averaging 5.1 APG across 14 games, but that number goes up to 5.7 APG on his home floor over seven games, where he also leads the team in potential assists at 9.1 per game. This game has just a 4-point spread and a near 230-point total and these two teams know each other well. Like this spot a ton!
Pick: Anthony Edwards More than 4.5 Assists (1.75x)
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Player News
Tolu Smith amassed 15 points (4-of-7 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in Sunday’s win over the Rockets.
Smith is entering the final year of his two-year, two-way contract, making these games in Las Vegas critical. The issue for him is Detroit’s frontcourt rotation, as Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart and Paul Reed are all under contract for the 2025-26 campaign. His skill set is similar to that of Duren and Stewart, who also don’t offer much value as a face-up post player. Smith’s fantasy prospects for the 2025-26 season aren’t the best, even if he offers some intrigue as a rebounder and rim protector.
Daniss Jenkins tallied 23 points (7-of-10 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), two rebounds, six assists, two steals, one block and three three-pointers in Sunday’s win over the Rockets.
After spending last season with the Pistons on a two-way contract, Jenkins is a free agent this summer. And with Detroit having one two-way slot available, he’s among the players competing for that opportunity. Performances like the one he produced on Sunday will only help Jenkins’ chances of earning another deal, whether with Detroit or another team. This won’t impact fantasy basketball, but Jenkins’ play in Las Vegas will impact how the Pistons finalize their training camp roster.
Oso Ighodaro amassed 18 points (8-of-12 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in Sunday’s loss to the Hawks.
With Khaman Maluach held out of Sunday’s game, the Suns relied on Ighodaro even more than they did in Friday’s win over the Wizards. Coming off a rookie season in which he did not receive many opportunities to contribute, the former Marquette standout is looking to earn consistent opportunities in year two. Ighodaro’s ability to facilitate offensively and protect the paint on defense could make him a factor within the Suns’ rotation, even with the additions of Maluach and Mark Williams, and the return of Nick Richards.
Koby Brea finished Sunday’s loss to the Hawks with 15 points (6-of-14 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, one steal and two three-pointers.
The 55th overall pick in last month’s draft, Brea’s start in Las Vegas has been encouraging. Having scored 19 points in his summer debut on Friday, the rookie wing had another solid performance against the Hawks. Phoenix has a surplus of wings on its roster, which limits Brea’s short-term fantasy upside. However, the three-point shooting and defense make him an intriguing prospect in deeper dynasty leagues.
Kobe Bufkin amassed 10 points (3-of-17 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), six rebounds and nine assists in Sunday’s win over the Suns.
Bufkin did not have a good day shooting the basketball, but that’s unsurprising given the amount of time missed. He’s working his way back from season-ending shoulder surgery in December, so the rust is expected. The positive for Bufkin is that he dished out nine assists while committing just one turnover. Trae Young running the show eliminates any other Hawks point guard’s fantasy value, unless one were to consider Dyson Daniels a point guard. However, Bufkin reaching the point where he can be trusted with rotation minutes would benefit the franchise.
Asa Newell accumulated 18 points (7-of-9 FGs, 0-of-2 FTs), 11 rebounds, one block and four three-pointers in Sunday’s win over the Suns.
Newell was considerably better in his second appearance after an inefficient scoring night on Friday in his summer league debut. The first-round pick out of Georgia only missed two of his nine shot attempts and recorded a double-double. Also, Newell shot 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. While he was only a 29 percent shooter at Georgia, the Hawks forward/center will have every opportunity to expand his game. Atlanta’s frontcourt depth should allow Newell not to be rushed through his development, which may pay dividends in the long run.