Toronto at Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Nets have to feel a sense of mission accomplished as they split the two games to start their opening round playoff series on the road vs. the Toronto Raptors. Both of these teams turned it on in the second half of the season, and have played as well as anyone. The Nets lost interest in the final week of the season, but prior to that this team rattled off 14 straight wins at home, going 13-1 ATS in the process. The Nets have become a defensively strong team at home, allowing 7 of their first 13 opponents here 100+ points, but since have allowed just 6 of their last 25 to do so. This game will be defined on the defensive end early as it is a pivotal game three, and the winner will take control of the series, so I do expect a concerted effort on the defensive end to get things started. The first two games in this series have seen an average of just 90 combined first half points, and expect the defensive intensity to be kicked up a notch in the early going for this game. The Nets are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 vs. a winning team, and 5-0 ATS at home in their last five vs. a team with a winning road record. The Raptors come in 0-4 ATS in their last four vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600. Take both Brooklyn and the first half UNDER.