Doc's Sports has spent the last four decades building a reputation as being one of the top selection services in the sports betting industry. Our longevity and success in a very competitive environment is a direct result of our ability to provide a steady stream of winners to an extremely loyal customer base. You can rest assured that Doc's is poised to remain at the top of our game heading into this year's NBA and NHL playoffs. Also remaining at the top of their game are some of the best handicappers in the business that we are proud to be associated with.

One expert handicapper that comes to mind when you think of the best of the best in this group is Raphael Esparza. He has been with Doc's for close to eight years, but his experience in the field has been honed during a long and illustrious career working behind the counter of some of the biggest sportsbooks in Las Vegas. Raphael was formally known as The Vegas Informer during a climb to the top of his profession as the former Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria.

He decided to retire from the sportsbook industry this past summer to devote all of his time working with some key Las Vegas insiders that know the sports betting industry inside and out. This has helped to further develop an "inside edge" that has become a huge part of his overall handicapping success. The most unique aspect of Raphael's handicapping skills is the ability to offer selections for a wide array of sporting events, including the WNBA, horse racing, boxing, professional tennis and soccer leagues all around the globe.

Doc's Sports set up an ongoing weekly Q&A with Raphael to provide our loyal readers with a glimpse inside this edge by covering some of the hottest trending topics in the sports betting industry today. What better source is there than someone that is deeply connected in the undisputed sports gambling capital of the world? The following is this week's discussion.

Doc's Sports : The NBA Playoffs get underway this weekend, and while Indiana has finally locked up that coveted home-court advantage in the East through the conference finals, do you have the Pacers finally advancing to the NBA Finals?

RE: I am not ready to concede anything to either Indiana or Miami in the East. Home-court advantage still gives the slight edge to the Pacers, but the veteran experience on Brooklyn's roster makes them a legitimate contender in what appeared to be a two-team race for the better part of the regular season.

Doc's Sports: The NBA's Western Conference appears to be a pretty wide-open affair with as many as four teams having a legitimate shot at winning this title. Which is your favorite team in the west to come out on top?

RE : This is a wide-open race almost to the point where it would not shock me to see a team like Memphis upset San Antonio in the opening round should the two division foes meet. The Spurs would still be the logical pick as long as they do not get tripped up early, but I really like the depth and experience on the Los Angeles Clippers' bench to possibly carry them to the title in the West.

Doc's Sports: The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs start this Wednesday, and the Boston Bruins are most sportsbooks' early favorite to go all the way, but t hey will first have to get past a couple of tough tests in the East. Are the Bruins your top pick to win the Eastern Conference this year?

RE: NHL Playoff hockey is all about defense and hot goalies, which has me taking a hard look at the New York Rangers in the East. If Henrik Lundqvist can stay hot between the pipes, this team has the ability to get by Boston in the conference finals.

Doc's Sports : Anaheim tallied the most points in the Western Conference this season, but the Ducks come into the playoffs as many books' third or fourth favorite to advance all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Which team do you like in this conference?

RE: I am also quite surprised at the lack of respect that Anaheim has gotten from the oddsmakers. St. Louis has picked a really bad time to go into a slump, and Chicago has to hope that both Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews can quickly return to form after missing time due to injuries. If they do, the Blackhawks are in excellent position to repeat, but if they do not, keep your eyes on the Ducks.

Doc's Sports : The AL East is already shaping up to be the most competitive division in the majors through the first few weeks of the new season. The New York Yankees made an early statement by taking three of four games against Boston this past weekend, but which team in the East do you like for the long haul?

RE: During Spring Training I was touting Baltimore as my pick in this division, and nothing I have seen so far has changed my mind. I also went with the "over" on the Yankees' projected win total, so I think they will remain in this race to the bitter end as well.

Click here to visit Raphael Esparza's Insider's Page at Doc's Sports for more information on his amazingly-profitable sports handicapping picks. Also, get $60 worth of Esparza's member's picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - you don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sport Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza. Also be sure to follow him on Twitter @VSIDocsports.