If you’re still suffering withdrawal pains from the end of March Madness, get set for more hoops action. The NBA playoffs are set to tip off and there are some first round matchups that could pique interest of hoops bettors.

Los Angeles Lakers (+325) 44-36-2 ATS vs. Phoenix Suns (-360 ) 44-37-1 ATS

The days of the Lakers dynasty seem to have fallen by the wayside. The Lakers enter the playoffs as the seventh seed and face the Phoenix Suns in the first round. Though the Lakers go into the series as heavy underdogs, they have the association’s leading scorer, Kobe Bryant.

Kobe is averaging 35.4 ppg, including a 62-point performance in November, and looks to continue his great play in the post season.

Countering Kobe in Phoenix is 2005 NBA MVP Steve Nash. In light of Amare Stoudemire’s absence from the Suns’ lineup, Nash has taken the team on his back, continuing his MVP play. During the regular season, lucky No. 13 averaged 18.8 points, 10.5 assists, made 43.9 percent of his 3-point attempts and 92.1 percent of his free throws.

Los Angeles Clippers (-162) 42-38-2 ATS vs. Denver Nuggets (+152) 40-42-0 ATS

Once upon a time, these two teams were the NBA’s worst. People made jokes about how bad the Clippers and the Nuggets were and fans wearing either team’s colors were mocked, ridiculed and threatened with beatings.

But times have changed and the Clips and the Nugs find themselves as the sixth and third seeds respectively.

Denver will be led by the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby. ‘Melo averaged 26.5 ppg and Camby averaged 11.9 boards.

The Clippers finally get to experience what the other team from L.A. experiences seemingly all the time. The Clips are back in the post season for the first time in ages and despite their lack of experience are favored. Elton Brand leads the team with 24.7 ppg and 10 rpg.

The Clippers won the season series 3-1 and that may be one of the reasons why bookies are giving them chalk.

Washington Wizards (+171) 41-39-2 ATS vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (-181) 43-36-3 ATS

When the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted LeBron James in 2003, big things were expected of him. While it took him a few years King James is finally delivering. During the 2005-06 season, the Cavs’ No. 23 averaged 31.4 ppg, 6.6 apg and 7.0 rpg.

Cleveland is favored to win the series but there are questions about their star. LeBron has shown that he can perform in the regular season but what about the playoffs? King James missed the final regular season game with an ankle injury will that hamper him against the Wiz?

Washington is back in playoffs after losing in the Eastern semifinals last year. Gilbert Arenas led the team averaging 29.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.0 steals a game.

Indiana Pacers (+310) 39-39-4 ATS vs. New Jersey Nets (-350) 39-41-2 ATS

New Jersey wants to make a return to the NBA finals and so does their forward Vince Carter.

The Nets could very well do it again this year but much of their success rides on how their big three perform. Carter along with Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd are a big reason why the Nets are favorites.

Carter leads the team with 24.2 ppg, Kidd leads in assists and rebounds with 8.4 and 7.3 respectively, and Jefferson was second in scoring 19.5 ppg.

The pundits are expecting the Pacers to put up a fight, but not win the series. The Pacers will have to rely on Jermaine O’Neal and Peja Stojakovic to do a bulk of the scoring.