OffshoreInsiders.com Shea Matthews takes a look at NBA betting trends.

Remember, an NBA betting line isn’t purely about the game itself. It goes beyond injuries, matchups, coaching and so on. Sometimes, the best thing a bettor can do is review the statistical ATS trends at his or her trusty sports betting blog. Hint, hint.

Here are some trends to note for all the playoff NBA matchups happening over the next two nights (six series):

TUESDAY, APRIL 20

Bucks vs Hawks (Atlanta leads series 1-0)

The Hawks are in the driver’s seat here. They’re 4-0 ATS in their last four games as a favorite and 8-1 ATS over their last nine against teams with winning straight-up records. The Bucks are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven trips to Atlanta and 1-7-1 in their last nine playoff games as an underdog. Free pick: Atlanta tonight. Remember, no Andrew Bogut for Milwaukee.

Heat vs Celtics (Boston leads series 1-0)

Hmm – do the Celtics sit back too much after a victory?  They’re 0-6 ATS in their last six games following a straight-up victory. Miami is 1-4 ATS in its last five first-round playoff games but could capitalize with no Kevin Garnett in the lineup tonight. My two cents: Boston will actually play harder to compensate for K.G.’s absence. I’d stick with the Celtics.

Trail Blazers vs Suns (Portland leads series 1-0)

Spread-wise, this is an “unstoppable force vs immovable object” matchup. Portland is 5-0-1 ATS over the last six meetings with Phoenix and 9-2 ATS over its last 11 playoff games as a dog. But Phoenix bounces back well from defeat. The Suns are 7-1-1 ATS over their last nine games following a straight up loss.

Thunder vs Lakers (Los Angeles leads series 1-0)

Some vicious trends haunt the Lakers entering this matchup. They’re 0-9 ATS in their last nine games following an ATS win; it’s almost like the victories inflate the spread too much the next time out. Oklahoma City is also 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5 points.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21

Bobcats vs Magic (Orlando leads series 1-0)

Charlotte kept it close in Game 1 but I wouldn’t expect that to happen again. Charlotte is too banged up and the Magic are 9-2-1 in their last 11 following an ATS loss. Also worth noting: the under is 9-3-1 over the last 13 meetings.

Spurs vs Mavericks (Dallas leads series 1-0)

The Spurs’ empire is crumbling before our eyes. The Mavs own them in Dallas, winning six straight against the spread. In fact, San Antonio is a pitiful 10-25 ATS over its last 35 against its cross-state rival. There’s no answer for Dirk Nowitzki so the Mavs are rock-solid sports betting picks here.