NBA, NHL Playoff Betting Guide: Nets/Bucks, Islanders/Lightning

  • The Brooklyn Nets are listed as home underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks after dropping two straight games.
  • The Tampa Bay Lightning are -180 favorites after losing the first game of the series against the New York Islanders.

BROOKLYN – As most people know, there are both NBA Playoffs and NHL Playoffs currently taking place at the moment. Tuesday’s games have some interesting odds, both of which may favor the underdog.

The Brooklyn Nets will be home underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of their series. The Nets won each of the first two games of the series, but have since dropped two straight.

The story of the series for Brooklyn has been injuries as James Harden has played less than a minute in the series while Kyrie Irving suffered an ankle injury in Game 4.

This has got to be the main reason as to why online sportsbooks list the Bucks as the betting favorites.

Nets vs Bucks Moneyline Odds

  • Brooklyn Nets +130
  • Milwaukee Bucks -150

Even without Irving and Harden, the Nets have betting value as home underdogs. Brooklyn has the second-best record in the NBA as a home underdog with six wins in nine games with an average ATS +/- of +9.3 points.

Milwaukee has the seventh-worst ATS record as an away favorite, only covering 16 of their 37 (43.2%) games. The Nets are getting three points on the spread, but bettors may be more inclined to take the moneyline due to the plus-money value.

Player props aren’t available quite yet, but when the lines are released there might be value on Kevin Durant’s performance as he may be the last of the Big 3 remaining with Harden and Irving’s injuries.

NHL Betting Odds: New York Islanders Vs Tampa Bay Lightning

The New York Islanders were able to take Game 1 of the series against the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 2-1. Despite the win, the Islanders are moderate underdogs in Game 2.

Islanders vs Lightning Moneyline Odds

  • New York Islanders +160
  • Tampa Bay Lightning -180

The first game was very close from start to finish as both teams had 31 shots while the Lightning had the edge on hits 41-40. There seems to be very little separating these two teams and thus, the Islanders have betting value on their plus-value moneyline.

The best play of the game, however, might be on the total. The mark is set at an even 5.0 goals, a mark in which the Islanders have hit in 10 of their 12 postseason games. The Lightning are hitting this number at a lesser rate, but still in over half of their playoff games (54.5%).

With the line being at 5.0 rather than 5.5, this also gives bettors the chance for a push. Those using online gambling sites could find a nice payday if both the Islanders win and the total goes Over 5.0 goals.

The Nets and Bucks matchup is set to begin Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. EST with coverage on TNT while the Islanders and Lightning will start at 8 p.m. EST on NBCSN.