This Saturday the Southwest Division rivals square off in the first round of the 2008 playoffs, as the second-seeded New Orleans Hornets return to the postseason to face No. 7 Dallas in the opener of the best-of-seven series at New Orleans Arena.

Game: Dallas Mavericks (51-31) at New Orleans Hornets (56-26)
Date/Time: Saturday, April 19 - 7:00 PM EST
Spread: New Orleans -5 Total: 193
Bet on NBA Playoff games at BETONLINE.COM

Playoff Oddsmakers currently have the Hornets listed as 5-point favorites versus the Mavericks, while the game's total is sitting at 193.

The Southwest Division-champion Hornets are back in the postseason for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign. They fell in seven games to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2004 playoffs.

New Orleans moved to the Western Conference for the 2004-05 campaign. and will compete in the West playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The last time the Hornets won a playoff series was in 2002 when they defeated the Orlando Magic, 3-1 in the opening round. They lost in five games, 4-1, in the next round to the New Jersey Nets.

The Hornets have never won a best-of-seven playoff series (0-6), and are 4-5 all-time in the opening round of the postseason.

MVP candidate Chris Paul and fellow All-Star David West have had great seasons for the Hornets, who set a record for most victories in franchise history. Paul led New Orleans in scoring (21.1 ppg) and assists (11.6 apg), while West posted an impressive 20.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

Forward Peja Stojakovic, who only played 13 games for New Orleans last season, had a solid campaign with 16.4 points per game and shot an impressive 44.1 percent from beyond the arc. Center Tyson Chandler, who posted 11.8 points per game, did his best work on the boards, as he averaged a team-best 11.7 rebounds and was a big factor in helping the Hornets excel in transition.

Swingman Morris Peterson, who signed with the club last offseason, and guard Jannero Pargo contributed mainly on the offensive end of the court. Trade deadline acquisition Bonzi Wells adds depth and gives head coach Byron Scott flexibility off the pine.

Scott, who is the favorite to take home the hardware for Coach of the Year honors, finished his fourth season on the Hornets' bench. He guided the club to a dismal 18-64 record in 2004-05, 38-44 mark in 2005-06 and a 39-43 finish last season. Scott has experienced winning in the postseason, as he guided the New Jersey Nets to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2001-02 and 2002-03.

It was a struggle, but the Mavericks did qualify for the playoffs for an eighth straight year. They will try and avoid being ousted in the first round for the second straight year. The Golden State Warriors, who were the eighth seed, stunned Dallas in six games in round one in the 2007 playoffs.

The Mavericks clinched the seventh seed and a first-round meeting with New Orleans on the last day of the season, as they defeated the Hornets, 111-98, at American Airlines Center.

Dallas made a bold move when it acquired Jason Kidd from the New Jersey Nets on February 19. The Mavericks dealt point guard Devin Harris, Maurice Ager, Trenton Hassell, center DeSagana Diop, Keith Van Horn, first-round draft picks in 2008 and 2010, and roughly $3 million to New Jersey in exchange for Kidd, and forwards Malik Allen and Antoine Wright.

A nine-time All-Star, Kidd is due to make $21.37 million next year, the final season of his current deal. Dallas obtained Kidd, who led the Nets twice to the NBA Finals (2002, 2003) to get them over the top in the Western Conference.

The acquisition of Kidd looked good on paper, but has not been great on the hardwood. Dallas is 15-14 with its new starting point guard in the lineup. Kidd averaged 9.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists in those contests.

Reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks in scoring (23.6 ppg) and rebounds (8.6 rpg) this season. He shot 47.9 percent from the floor, including 35.9 percent from three-point range.

Twenty-seven-year-old Josh Howard continued his excellent play, as he averaged 19.9 points and 7.10rebounds, while guard Jason Terry was third on the club in scoring (15.5 ppg). Veteran center Erick Dampier and forward Brandon Bass provided physical play around the basket.

Dallas was 17-24 on the road this season, while the Hornets were 30-11 at home.

Team records:
Dallas: 51-31 SU, 35-43-4 ATS
New Orleans: 56-26 SU, 50-31-1 ATS

Dallas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing New Orleans are 6-4
After playing New Orleans are 10-0
After a win are 6-4

New Orleans most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Dallas are 2-8
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games when playing New Orleans
Dallas is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
New Orleans is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
New Orleans is 11-2 ATS in its last 13 games at home
New Orleans is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games
New Orleans is 16-8 ATS in its last 24 games  

CLICK HERE TO BET ON NBA PLAYOFF GAMES AT BETONLINE.COM
This NBA season choose Big Bonuses or Low Juice, the choice is yours!