NBA Playoffs - Eastern Conference First Round
Game 6 - Toronto leads series 3-2
Tip-off: Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Brooklyn -5, Total: 191

The Raptors have won two straight games to give them a 3-2 series lead over the Nets, but now the series shifts back to the U.S. for an elimination game on Friday night.

Toronto was on the ropes when it visited Brooklyn for Game 4, but it pulled out a gutsy 87-79 victory and followed it up with a 115-113 home win in Game 5 in Toronto on Wednesday in a contest where both teams shot lights-out, combining for 50.7% FG and 46.9% threes. The Raptors now lead the series 3-2 and are 12-5 SU (6-9-2 ATS) in their past 17 games. They are also a strong 27-15-1 ATS (23-20 SU) on the road this season, and 4-3-1 ATS (3-5 SU) at Barclays Center over the past three seasons. The Nets have been great at home, posting a 24-19 ATS mark (29-14 SU) this season, but they have been in a three-week funk, going 3-7 SU (2-7-1 ATS) over their past 10 games. Both teams have positive betting trends though, as the Raptors are 21-9 ATS after two straight games giving up 10 or less offensive rebounds this season. They are also 6-2 ATS this season after two straight games where their opponent was called for 25+ fouls. Brooklyn, however, is 8-1 ATS this season after trailing in its previous game by 15+ points at the half. They are also 5-1 ATS this season after allowing 60+ points in the first half of their previous game. While Toronto star PG Kyle Lowry (knee) is probable, it's still not clear if SF Landry Fields (back) will return for the Raptors after missing Game 4.

Toronto pulled out a close one in Game 5 behind a brilliant performance from PG Kyle Lowry (21.8 PPG, 5.2 APG, 4.4 RPG this series). Lowry was unstoppable for the Raptors, finishing with 36 points (11-of-19 FG, 6-of-9 threes) and six assists in 38 minutes of play. With his jumper falling, Lowry is a completely different player, and his speed and toughness makes him very tough to contain for Deron Williams and the other Nets guards. SG DeMar DeRozan (24.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.0 APG this series) had 23 points (5-of-12 FG, 12-of-13 FT), six rebounds and five assists in 39 minutes for Toronto. DeRozan was getting to the line at will, and hit a number of clutch free throws down the stretch. His disaster of a Game 1 (14 points on 3-of-13 FG) is behind him as he has now scored 23 or more points in four straight games, but has shot below 43% from the floor in all four of those contests. PG Greivis Vasquez (12.0 PPG, 6.6 APG, 4.2 RPG this series) continues to give the Raptors some huge minutes off the bench. He had 15 points (6-of-12 FG, 3-of-5 threes) and six rebounds in Game 5, and Toronto will likely continue to play him next to Kyle Lowry in two-point-guard lineups for the remainder of the series. C Jonas Valanciunas (12.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.2 BPG this series) will need to continue to be a presence in the paint on both sides as the Raptors attempt to close out the series.

The Nets had a 2-1 series lead and were playing Game 4 at home, but despite their 53.3% FG clip (47.8% threes) that night, they were unable to pick up the win and now find themselves on the brink of elimination. SG Joe Johnson (21.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG this series) had 30 points (13-of-23 FG, 3-of-6 threes), five rebounds and three assists in 38 minutes for the Nets in the loss. He was the one Brooklyn player who was able to get it going offensively, and his team will need him to continue to hit shots from the outside if it is going to extend this to a Game 7. Another player who has been performing well offensively is PF Mirza Teletovic (10.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG this series). Teletovic has increased his averages to 14.5 PPG and 6.0 RPG over the past two games, and his ability to score in a hurry provides a huge spark for the Nets. He could be in line for a big bump in minutes with the way he is shooting the ball. PG Deron Williams (16.8 PPG, 6.2 APG this series) has been way too inconsistent for the Nets in this series. He had 13 points and nine assists in Wednesday's loss, but is averaging 23.0 PPG in the Brooklyn victories. He will need to look to be more aggressive as a scorer, as his team has been more successful with him attacking the basket as opposed to playing it safe. SF Paul Pierce (14.4 PPG this series) had just 10 points in Game 5 after scoring 22 points in Game 4. The Nets will need their veteran forward to hit his open looks and make plays when there is seemingly nothing there.