A couple of season-defining games are on tap tonight. In the NHL, the Lightning hope to fight another day – and prevent a humiliating sweep – by going on the road with hopes of beating the cruising Canadiens. In the NBA, the no. 1 seed Pacers try to prove they’re not “wussies” by taking care of the Hawks at home.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens – Game 4 (7:00 PM ET)
Line: Tampa Bay Lightning (+160) at Montreal Canadiens (-190); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
Betting on the Tampa Bay Lightning
[sc:NHL240 ]The Tampa Bay Lightning are one game away from elimination. Despite the best efforts of Steven Stamkos (two goals and two assists in the series) combined with some excellent penalty killing (10-11 in the series), the Lightning are still on the brink because of their goaltending.
First-choice goalie Ben Bishop’s injury has been a tremendous loss to Tampa Bay. His replacement, Anders Lindback has already conceded 11 goals in three starts, putting the Lightning’s record to just 6-14 in the last 20 games with him between the pipes.
Betting on the Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are set to be the first team to book their spot in the next round, thanks to some unlikely stars.
The terrific trio of Rene Bourque, Larse Eller and Brendan Gallagher combined for four points in Montreal’s 3-2 Game 3 win at home, upping their series total to an impressive 11 points.
Goalie Carey Price has done his part on the other end. His 2.12 GAA and .917 save percentage are among the top third for goalies in the postseason. The Habs are 8-2 in Price’s last 10 home starts.
Writer’s Prediction
Bring out the brooms. The Habs will complete the sweep tonight in front of their home fans.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Indiana Pacers – Game 2 (7:00 PM ET)
Line: Atlanta Hawks (+7) at Indiana Pacers (-7); total: 187.0 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks played like a team with nothing to lose in Game 1, and they were rewarded with a 101-93 win. The Hawks are now 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Their star duo of Paul Millsap and Jeff Teague (almost 19 PPG each in April) were playing well heading into the playoffs, and they carried that fine form into Indiana. Teague had 28 points while Millsap added 25 as they constantly attacked the Pacers defense; the two combined to go 18-21 from the free throw line.
The Hawks have now scored over 100 points twice in the span of two weeks against the Pacers’ defense. Those games have helped the total go over in nine straight Hawks games at Indiana.
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
Despite having the best homecourt in the regular season (35-6) as well as homecourt advantage in the East, the Indiana Pacers continue to look vulnerable in their own building.
After dropping Game 1 vs. the Hawks, the Pacers are now just 2-3 SU in their last five games with two of those losses against Atlanta. In the Pacer’s last 20 games at home, they have covered the spread all of five times (5-14-1 ATS).
Paul George (24 points) and Lance Stephenson (19 points) supplied the offense, but it was the Indiana defense that was lacking. George has asked to guard Teague in Game 2, which should help out the Pacers on that end.
Writer’s Prediction
With the season essentially on the line for the Pacers, expect them to win Game 2, but don’t trust them to cover; take the Hawks to cover the +7-point spread.
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