It’s all about avoiding a two-game deficit in their respective conference finals later tonight for the Atlanta Hawks and the New York Rangers. The Hawks are looking to level the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers before hitting the road for Game 3. The Rangers, meanwhile, are eager to avoid falling in another 3-1 series deficit in these playoffs. For more about these series, you can click here for our preview of Cavs vs. Hawks and here for Rangers vs. Lightning.
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New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (8:00 PM ET)
Line: New York Rangers (+110) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (-130); total: 5.0– view all NHL lines
[sc:NHL240 ]You know there’s something wrong with the Rangers if Henrik Lundqvist has allowed 12 goals over a two-game span. Lundqvist (2.12 GAA and .926 thus far this postseason) will have to recover the form that made him a terror in the playoffs last year, as he takes on the surging Lightning. Led by an electrifying second line, the Lightning have seemingly solved Lundqvist over the last two games. The trio of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov scored four of the Bolts’ goals in their 6-5 win in Game 3. The Rangers are 7-3 in their last 10 road games. The Lightning are 4-1 in their last five home games.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks (8:30 PM ET)
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (+1) vs. Atlanta Hawks (-1); total: 197.0 – view all NBA lines
After drawing first blood in the Western Conference Final, the Cavs now look to dig Atlanta a deeper hole. Leading the Cavs’ attack as usual will be LeBron James, who scored 31 points in Cleveland’s 97-89 win in Game 1. The Hawks, on the other hand, may not have the services of DeMarre Carroll, who sprained his left knee on Wednesday. If Carroll won’t be available to play tonight, expect Kent Bazemore to see his minutes increase. Bazemore played 16 minutes in Game 1, finishing with 10 points, four rebounds, and a block. Jeff Teague led the Hawks in Game 1 with 27 points and four assists. The Cavs are 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three road games. The Hawks are 7-3 SU in their last 10 home games.
