Streaking Nets host Raptors
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - The Brooklyn Nets are rolling toward the playoffs and look to extend their winning streak to six games Friday versus the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center.
The Nets have won five straight and nine of their last 11 games, including Wednesday's 100-98 squeaker over the New York Knicks.
Brook Lopez recorded the go-ahead basket with two seconds remaining and scored 18 points with seven rebounds and five blocks. New York trailed by as many as 14 in the fourth quarter, but Cleanthony Early, who scored all 14 of his points in the final frame, tied the game at 98-98 following a 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After a couple empty possessions, Nets guard Deron Williams drove the lane on Brooklyn's final touch. His shot was off the mark and so was Lopez's tip-in, but Lopez corralled the ball again and laid it in.
"I was right there around the rim and I just tried to keep it alive and put it back in," Lopez said.
Early's 3-point attempt from the top of the arc at the other end was off the mark.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Williams had 26 points, seven assists and seven rebounds for Brooklyn.
The Nets are seventh in the East, just a half-game ahead of Miami and Boston and two games in front of Charlotte.
Brooklyn, which has won three straight at home and is 15-20 at Barclays Center, will visit Atlanta on Saturday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Toronto is aiming for a fourth consecutive victory and is tied with Chicago for the third seed.
The Raptors made it three wins in a row with a 113-99 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, as Lou Williams scored 18 points off the bench and DeMar DeRozan added 17 points. Terrence Ross and Jonas Valanciunas scored 16 and 15 points, respectively, for the Raptors, who shot 55.3 percent for the game.
"Any time we're close to the border, we know we're gonna have fans make that drive," Ross said. "It's good, it's fun. Especially out in Minnesota, it's nowhere close to home, so to see the fans come out, it's nice."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Toronto is 19-17 away from Air Canada Centre and will host Boston on Saturday.
The Raptors are 2-1 against the Nets this season.