Brooklyn at Miami

The Brooklyn Nets have had a way of winning close games. None of them were as significant as their game seven road win by 1 point in Toronto to earn the right to face the Heat to open the second round. Talk about close games, the Nets beat Miami four straight times in the regular season, with three of those by 1 point, and the fourth coming in double-overtime. Looking at the last two, both played in Miami, the first half points were 87, and 84 combined for both teams. Miami is a savvy, and seasoned playoffs team, and they will be out to make a statement early in this game that they are still the sheriff in town. Brooklyn has Garnett, and Pierce, and that will no doubt share their experience with younger teammates on how important it will be to match the Heat's intensity on the defensive end early. I look for a physical and defensive first half, just like the previous two here. Take the first half UNDER the total.