Friday's Trends and Indexes - 4/18 (MLB, NBA, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel

Memphis at Oklahoma City
The Thunder (34-7 at home) open their postseason series Saturday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena against a Memphis team that is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games against a team with a winning home record. Oklahoma City is the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has the Thunder favored by 9 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-7). Here are all of this weekend's playoff picks.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

Game 701-702: Brooklyn at Toronto (12:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Brooklyn 120.150; Toronto 119.308
Dunkel Line & Total: Brooklyn by 1; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 2 1/2; 194
Dunkel Pick: Brooklyn (+2 1/2); Over

Game 703-704: Golden State at LA Clippers (3:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 121.546; LA Clippers 130.664
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 9; 208
Vegas Line & Total: LA Clippers by 7; 211
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (-7); Under

Game 705-706: Atlanta at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 114.747; Indiana 124.558
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 10; 182 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 7 1/2; 186
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-7 1/2); Under

Game 707-708: Memphis at Oklahoma City (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 118.974; Oklahoma City 128.303
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 9 1/2; 201 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 7; 192 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-7); Over


SUNDAY, APRIL 20

Game 709-710: Dallas at San Antonio (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 119.548; San Antonio 131.022
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 11 1/2; 201
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 9; 205 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-9); Under

Game 711-712: Charlotte at Miami (3:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 116.262; Miami 127.660
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 11 1/2; 196
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 9 1/2; 188 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-9 1/2); Over

Game 713-714: Washington at Chicago (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 118.292; Chicago 120.918
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 189
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 5; 181
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+5); Over

Game 715-716: Portland at Houston (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 120.618; Houston 123.824
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 3; 207 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 5 1/2; 214 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+5 1/2); Under

[Udog]

NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, April 19

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BROOKLYN (44 - 38) at TORONTO (48 - 34) - 4/19/2014, 12:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 46-34 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 22-13 ATS (+7.7 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
TORONTO is 31-21 ATS (+7.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
BROOKLYN is 102-74 ATS (+20.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points since 1996.
BROOKLYN is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) after scoring 85 points or less over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-5 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
BROOKLYN is 7-5 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MEMPHIS (50 - 32) at OKLAHOMA CITY (59 - 23) - 4/19/2014, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 94-78 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 82-67 ATS (+8.3 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 51-36 ATS (+11.4 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 30-15 ATS (+13.5 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 55-36 ATS (+15.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 94-79 ATS (+7.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 55-36 ATS (+15.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 55-41 ATS (+9.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 11-5 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-8 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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ATLANTA (38 - 44) at INDIANA (56 - 26) - 4/19/2014, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 13-22 ATS (-11.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
ATLANTA is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
ATLANTA is 10-27 ATS (-19.7 Units) in road games in all playoff games since 1996.
INDIANA is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 9-27 ATS (-20.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
INDIANA is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season this season.
INDIANA is 10-20 ATS (-12.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
INDIANA is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 8-8 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 9-8 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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GOLDEN STATE (51 - 31) at LA CLIPPERS (57 - 25) - 4/19/2014, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 46-35 ATS (+7.5 Units) in all games this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in home games when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 30-20 ATS (+8.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 53-38 ATS (+11.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 51-38 ATS (+9.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 156-214 ATS (-79.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 111-147 ATS (-50.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 7-5 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 7-5 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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Sunday, April 20[/B]

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DALLAS (49 - 33) at SAN ANTONIO (62 - 20) - 4/20/2014, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 45-37 ATS (+4.3 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 40-32 ATS (+4.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 430-360 ATS (+34.0 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 123-84 ATS (+30.6 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 81-60 ATS (+15.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 50-33 ATS (+13.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 91-72 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 43-29 ATS (+11.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 27-14 ATS (+11.6 Units) in road games this season.
DALLAS is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 212-168 ATS (+27.2 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
DALLAS is 162-123 ATS (+26.7 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
DALLAS is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more this season.
DALLAS is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 9-3 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 10-2 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CHARLOTTE (43 - 39) at MIAMI (54 - 28) - 4/20/2014, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 62-98 ATS (-45.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 46-32 ATS (+10.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 47-32 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 32-21 ATS (+8.9 Units) as an underdog this season.
CHARLOTTE is 21-12 ATS (+7.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
CHARLOTTE is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHARLOTTE is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 8-3 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 11-0 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WASHINGTON (44 - 38) at CHICAGO (48 - 34) - 4/20/2014, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) in road games when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 88-73 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 61-40 ATS (+17.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 26-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) in road games this season.
WASHINGTON is 27-11 ATS (+14.9 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 55-40 ATS (+11.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 39-52 ATS (-18.2 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 35-52 ATS (-22.2 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-4 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-5 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PORTLAND (54 - 28) at HOUSTON (54 - 28) - 4/20/2014, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PORTLAND is 25-16 ATS (+7.4 Units) in road games this season.
HOUSTON is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 7-3 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 8-3 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
9 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[Udog]

NBA

Saturday, April 19

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Trend Report
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12:30 PM
BROOKLYN vs. TORONTO
Brooklyn is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Brooklyn is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Toronto is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Brooklyn

3:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. LA CLIPPERS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the LA Clippers last 9 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of the LA Clippers last 13 games at home

7:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. INDIANA
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Atlanta's last 13 games when playing Indiana
Atlanta is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
Indiana is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games at home

9:30 PM
MEMPHIS vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Memphis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Memphis is 6-2-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Oklahoma City's last 19 games when playing at home against Memphis


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[Udog]

NBA

Saturday, April 19

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NBA Eastern Conference playoff betting preview: Round 1
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Brooklyn Nets at Toronto Raptors (-2.5, 194)

The Nets' starters boast a combined 399 career playoff games, while there are three playoff rookies - guard DeMar DeRozan, forward Terrence Ross and center Jonas Valanciunas - among the Raptors' first five. The teams split four meetings this season, with each squad going 1-1 on its home floor and three of the four games decided by four points or fewer.

After a slow start and a notable trade that sent swingman Rudy Gay to Sacramento, Toronto went 42-22 over the final four-plus months of the season to record a franchise record in victories and storm to the Atlantic Division crown - its first since 2006-07. DeRozan and point guard Kyle Lowry were the catalysts all season for Toronto, combining to average 40.6 points and 11.4 assists and stepping up their games against Brooklyn; DeRozan averaged 22.3 points and Lowry 22 points versus the Nets.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Toronto.
* Home team is 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
* Nets are 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall.


Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers (-7, 211)

The Golden State Warriors went into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed last season and knocked off the third-seeded Denver Nuggets. They will be attempting to turn the same trick again this spring, though the competition will be different when the Warriors visit the third-seeded Los Angeles Clippers. Golden State and Los Angeles did not get along very well during the regular season, and Warriors guard Klay Thompson continued the war of words this week by talking about Clippers All-Star forward Blake Griffin. “He’s kind of like a bull in a china shop, kind of out of control sometimes,” Thompson told 95.7 The Game radio in San Francisco. “And then you do just see him flop sometimes, like how can a guy that big and strong flop that much?”

The Clippers are primed for a deep playoff run and brought in coach Doc Rivers in part for his experience in the postseason. Rivers is the biggest change from last spring, when Los Angeles dropped a first-round series to the Memphis Grizzlies under Vinny Del Negro, but he is not the only difference. The Clippers led the league in scoring and became a defensive force as the season progressed and DeAndre Jordan grew more comfortable with his role as an enforcer and rim protector. Clippers G Chris Paul averaged 28 points, 12.7 assists and 3.7 steals in three games against Golden State this season.

TRENDS:

* Home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Warriors are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Under is 9-3-1 in Clippers last 13 home games.


Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers (-7.5, 186)

Atlanta was 10 games under .500 on April 3 before closing with six wins in the last eight games, including a 107-88 drubbing of the Pacers in Indiana on April 6. The Hawks bowed out in six games in the first round to the Pacers last season, dropping the final two games after evening the series with a pair of home victories. Atlanta doesn’t have Al Horford this time around but does have All-Star Paul Millsap. Atlanta can spread the floor with its frontcourt rotation of Millsap, Pero Antic, DeMarre Carroll and Mike Scott, and all five in the starting lineup are capable of stepping out and hitting 3-pointers.

The Pacers went 10-13 over the last six weeks of the season, briefly dropping out of the top spot in the East before winning three of four to close things out and top the Heat by two games. Indiana’s slump came after trading away veteran Danny Granger and signing mercurial center Andrew Bynum, and downturns in production from Roy Hibbert and Paul George didn’t help. Hibbert averaged 17 points and 9.9 rebounds in the playoffs last spring and the Pacers are counting on him to carry a heavy load again. Hibbert averaged five points on 28.1 percent shooting and 3.8 rebounds in the four games against the Hawks.

TRENDS:

* Over is 13-3-1 in the last 17 meetings in Indiana.
* Favorite is 25-9-1 ATS in the last 35 meetings.
* Pacers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven Conference Quarterfinals games.


Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder (-7, 192.5)

The Memphis Grizzlies eliminated an Oklahoma City team missing Russell Westbrook from last season’s playoffs and take aim at stunning the Thunder again when the first-round series opens in Oklahoma City on Saturday. The trio of Gasol, power forward Zach Randolph and point guard Mike Conley are used to waging battle with the Thunder, having surprisingly taken Oklahoma City to seven games in the 2011 conference semifinals before last season’s impressive series victory.

The Thunder posted the NBA’s second-best record despite Westbrook missing 36 games due to his balky knee and are expecting the first-round series to be quite a tussle. “It’s going to be a tough but fun series,” Kevin Durant told reporters. “We have a lot of history with these guys. We’re looking forward to getting the opportunity to play for a championship.” Durant is the favorite to win NBA MVP honors after leading the league in scoring with a 32-point average, the highest since Kobe Bryant averaged 35.4 points for the Lakers in 2005-06.

TRENDS:

* Grizzlies are 6-2-1 ATS in the last nine meetings.
* Under is 5-1 in Thunder's last six Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last five Conference Quarterfinals games.


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[Udog]

NBA

Saturday, April 19

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NBA Western Conference playoff betting preview: Round 1
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No. 8 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 1 San Antonio Spurs

Season series: Spurs won season series 4-0 SU (3-1 ATS), 3-1 O/U
Series Prices: Mavericks +500/Spurs -700

Why bet the Mavericks?

This may appear to be one of the most lopsided matchups of the first round but the Mavs may give the Spurs a little more than people expect. Dallas is a very good offensive team that balances scoring between both its starters and its bench. They take high-percentage shots, evidenced by their 47.4 field goal percentage and are the league’s second-best, 3-point shooting team. As well, the Spurs don’t really have anyone to guard Dirk Nowitzki when the big man steps out of the paint.

Why bet the Spurs?

Everything the Mavs can do, the Spurs do better. They balance their scoring and hit threes. As well, they are able to play the type of defense that wins championships. They beat the Mavericks all four times they met this season, never shooting less than 41 percent from the field and only once hitting below 40 percent from the 3-point arc.


No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies vs. No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Season series: Thunder won season series 3-1 SU (2-1-1 ATS), 3-1 O/U
Series Prices: Grizzlies +300/Thunder -360

Why bet the Grizzlies?

The Grizzlies are the team no one wanted to play in the first round. They slow the game down, averaging only 92.2 possessions per game, but score an efficient 103.3 points per 100 possessions. Defensively is where they’re most scary. Memphis only allows the opposition’s starters an average of 65 points per game and, once you get past the starters, the Thunder have a mediocre bench that averages only 32.2 points per game.

Why bet the Thunder?

The Thunder handled the Grizzlies fairly easily this season, winning three of four by an average of 10-plus points per game and outrebounding Memphis in each contest. While much is being made of Memphis’ ability to control the pace of the game, OKC is no slouch in offensive efficiency, averaging 108 .1 points per 100 possessions. What’s more Russell Westbrook only played in two games against Memphis this season.


No. 6 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 3 Los Angeles Clippers

Season series: Tied 2-2 SU (Clippers went 3-1 ATS), 2-2 O/U
Series Prices: Warriors +320/Clippers -380

Why bet the Warriors?

Never count a team out that has Stephen Curry in its lineup. What’s more, never count a team that has Stephen Curry and the home-court crowd at Oracle. The Warriors were an improved defensive unit this season, allowing teams less than 100 points per game and had the fourth-best point differential. They managed to keep the Clippers under their 107.9 points per contest average in both games in Oakland.

Why bet the Clippers?

The Clippers may have two of the league’s top five players and the league’s best coach. They’re healthy and deep, able to throw different looks at their opponents depending on the situation. There may be concerns over last year’s disappointing exit but it’s not Vinny Del Negro on the sidelines. It looks like Andrew Bogut will be sidelined and Jermaine O’Neal and David Lee can’t protect the rim alone versus “Lob City”.


No. 5 Portland Trail Blazers vs No. 4 Houston Rockets

Season series: Rockets won 3-1 SU (Tied 2-2 ATS), 4-0 O/U
Series Prices: Trail Blazers +175/Rockets -200

Why bet the Rockets?

This will be a series marked by the 3-pointer but it won’t be won by it. Whoever defends and scores at key moments will come out on top, and with Dwight Howard defending the basket on one end and James Harden getting to the hoop on the other, the advantage has to go to the Rockets. Houston won the three of the four meetings during the season, never scoring less than 116 points and held Portland to more than a basket less than its season average during the fourth quarters of these wins.

Why bet the Trail Blazers?

If Portland can knock down its open looks, it has a decent chance of advancing. What’s good news for Blazers bettors is the fact the team has been doing that in recent games. Portland won five in a row to end the season, shooting nearly 46 percent overall and an impressive 43 percent from downtown in their last three games in that stretch.


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[Udog]

NBA

Saturday, April 19

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Saturday's NBA playoffs betting news and notes
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Brooklyn Nets at Toronto Raptors (-2.5, 194)

The Nets' starters boast a combined 399 career playoff games, while there are three playoff rookies - guard DeMar DeRozan, forward Terrence Ross and center Jonas Valanciunas - among the Raptors' first five. The teams split four meetings this season, with each squad going 1-1 on its home floor and three of the four games decided by four points or fewer.

After a slow start and a notable trade that sent swingman Rudy Gay to Sacramento, Toronto went 42-22 over the final four-plus months of the season to record a franchise record in victories and storm to the Atlantic Division crown - its first since 2006-07. DeRozan and point guard Kyle Lowry were the catalysts all season for Toronto, combining to average 40.6 points and 11.4 assists and stepping up their games against Brooklyn; DeRozan averaged 22.3 points and Lowry 22 points versus the Nets.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Toronto.
* Home team is 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
* Nets are 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall.


Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers (-7, 211)

The Golden State Warriors went into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed last season and knocked off the third-seeded Denver Nuggets. They will be attempting to turn the same trick again this spring, though the competition will be different when the Warriors visit the third-seeded Los Angeles Clippers. Golden State and Los Angeles did not get along very well during the regular season, and Warriors guard Klay Thompson continued the war of words this week by talking about Clippers All-Star forward Blake Griffin. “He’s kind of like a bull in a china shop, kind of out of control sometimes,” Thompson told 95.7 The Game radio in San Francisco. “And then you do just see him flop sometimes, like how can a guy that big and strong flop that much?”

The Clippers are primed for a deep playoff run and brought in coach Doc Rivers in part for his experience in the postseason. Rivers is the biggest change from last spring, when Los Angeles dropped a first-round series to the Memphis Grizzlies under Vinny Del Negro, but he is not the only difference. The Clippers led the league in scoring and became a defensive force as the season progressed and DeAndre Jordan grew more comfortable with his role as an enforcer and rim protector. Clippers G Chris Paul averaged 28 points, 12.7 assists and 3.7 steals in three games against Golden State this season.

TRENDS:

* Home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Warriors are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Under is 9-3-1 in Clippers last 13 home games.


Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers (-7.5, 186)

Atlanta was 10 games under .500 on April 3 before closing with six wins in the last eight games, including a 107-88 drubbing of the Pacers in Indiana on April 6. The Hawks bowed out in six games in the first round to the Pacers last season, dropping the final two games after evening the series with a pair of home victories. Atlanta doesn’t have Al Horford this time around but does have All-Star Paul Millsap. Atlanta can spread the floor with its frontcourt rotation of Millsap, Pero Antic, DeMarre Carroll and Mike Scott, and all five in the starting lineup are capable of stepping out and hitting 3-pointers.

The Pacers went 10-13 over the last six weeks of the season, briefly dropping out of the top spot in the East before winning three of four to close things out and top the Heat by two games. Indiana’s slump came after trading away veteran Danny Granger and signing mercurial center Andrew Bynum, and downturns in production from Roy Hibbert and Paul George didn’t help. Hibbert averaged 17 points and 9.9 rebounds in the playoffs last spring and the Pacers are counting on him to carry a heavy load again. Hibbert averaged five points on 28.1 percent shooting and 3.8 rebounds in the four games against the Hawks.

TRENDS:

* Over is 13-3-1 in the last 17 meetings in Indiana.
* Favorite is 25-9-1 ATS in the last 35 meetings.
* Pacers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven Conference Quarterfinals games.


Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder (-7, 192.5)

The Memphis Grizzlies eliminated an Oklahoma City team missing Russell Westbrook from last season’s playoffs and take aim at stunning the Thunder again when the first-round series opens in Oklahoma City on Saturday. The trio of Gasol, power forward Zach Randolph and point guard Mike Conley are used to waging battle with the Thunder, having surprisingly taken Oklahoma City to seven games in the 2011 conference semifinals before last season’s impressive series victory.

The Thunder posted the NBA’s second-best record despite Westbrook missing 36 games due to his balky knee and are expecting the first-round series to be quite a tussle. “It’s going to be a tough but fun series,” Kevin Durant told reporters. “We have a lot of history with these guys. We’re looking forward to getting the opportunity to play for a championship.” Durant is the favorite to win NBA MVP honors after leading the league in scoring with a 32-point average, the highest since Kobe Bryant averaged 35.4 points for the Lakers in 2005-06.

TRENDS:

* Grizzlies are 6-2-1 ATS in the last nine meetings.
* Under is 5-1 in Thunder's last six Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last five Conference Quarterfinals games.


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