Dave Carney 6/25/2021
What’s on the table today?: Bucks vs Hawks Game 2; Islanders @ Lightning Game 7 Betting Previews and Predictions
Tonight in the NHL Playoffs the New York Islanders are facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of what has been a wild, intense and exciting series sees the Lightning as heavy favorites (-170) while the Islanders are big under dogs at (+142).
As of this writing 72% of the money is coming in on the Lighting to win at (-170). The goal total for tonight’s Game 7 is set at 5.
While the Islanders have been a great story all year, and have forced this Game 7, I really don’t think Tampa Bay loses this one and their chance to go back to the Stanley Cup Finals. My prediction today is to take the Tampa Bay Lightning (-170).
In the NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks host the Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals with the Hawks holding a 1-0 lead after beating Milwaukee 116-113.
The Bucks are currently (-7.5) favorites with the total sitting at 226, the Hawks underdogs at (+7.5). However, the money is FLOWING towards the Hawks with 68% of the action coming to Atlanta to cover this number. In Game 1, the line by tip-off was MIL (-8) / ATL (+8) and we saw what happened there, the Hawks shocking the Bucks with that Game 1 win by 3.
In this instance though, because they NEED to win this game, I like the Bucks a lot. I think Milwaukee can and will cover the total spread (-7.5), but I’m looking at a 1st half play here with the Bucks (-5) in the 1st half. If the Bucks are going to win this game, which they SHOULD, the 1st half will be the real tell. If the Bucks put the clamps on the Hawks, which they SHOULD, the (-5) in the 1st half is really a juicy spot.
This is a MUST win for the Bucks tonight…if they lose, watch out for the FIRE Coach Bud memes to start flowing.
My prediction for tonight’s game: Bucks (-5) in the 1st half.
**For more info on TOTAL plays, OVER/UNDER, and PLUS/MINUS plays, TEASER cards and more, check back through some previous columns for detailed information**
REMEMBER – don’t bet based upon my recommendations. Do your research. Stay in your lane