The Toronto Raptors are atop the Eastern Conference, and much of that success stems from capitalizing on favorable matchups. Brooks Robinson Jersey . The Raptors look to continue dominating teams with losing records tonight as they host the Brooklyn Nets for the first time since being ousted in the opening round of the playoffs. You can catch the game live on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, TSN GO and TSN Radio 1050 at 8pm et/5pm pt. Toronto (19-6) owns the best record in the conference, and it can thank its 11-1 record against teams under .500 for the advantage. All of the Raptors six victories in the last eight games have come in such matchups, while both defeats have been against Cleveland. Theyve won the first three of this six-game stretch against teams with losing records, but needed a dominant second half to beat Orlando 95-82 on Monday. They trailed by eight at halftime before shooting 48.8 percent and outscoring the Magic by 21 points in the final 24 minutes to improve to 12-3 at home. We just came out more aggressive and played our game, said Kyle Lowry, who had 11 of his 17 points in the second half. We knew we let a lead get away in the first half. Toronto, which is trying to win the Atlantic Division for a second straight season, should have some added motivation against the Nets (10-13). The Raptors were eliminated in seven games by Brooklyn in the first round, blowing a 3-2 series lead and losing Game 7 104-103 at the Air Canada Centre. Lowry, who averaged 21.1 points in that series, scored 28 in Game 7 before his jumper in the final seconds was blocked. He was also effective during the regular season, scoring 22.0 points while hitting 13 of 27 3s as the Raptors and Nets split four matchups. Amir Johnson, who had 11 points Monday, was also productive in Game 7, putting up 20 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. The Nets have won four of six games on the road, but theyre 2-4 in their last six overall after falling 95-91 at home to Miami on Tuesday. Mason Plumlee is looking to build on his season-high 21 points. The center is averaging 16.7 points and 10.7 boards over the past three games, a major improvement from his 6.7 and 5.6 season marks. We need to go up (to Toronto) and get a win, so whatever we gotta do, Plumlee said. Back to back, it doesnt matter, we just need to go get a win. He was limited to reserve duty in the playoffs last season, totaling 18 points and 17 rebounds in the series with Toronto. Joe Johnson is 10 of 19 from 3-point range in three games since missing two with the flu, and he may be looking forward to facing the Raptors. He averaged 21.9 points in the playoffs against Toronto, including 25.0 while Brooklyn split the four meetings in Canada. Andrew Cashner Jersey . Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes, the bandleader of the beard brigade during Bostons run to the 2013 World Series title, said he will be shaving his off before spring training so that he can file it "in the archive" with his memories of the teams improbable championship. Baltimore Orioles Jerseys . Beckham says "nothing has been confirmed yet, but its something I am very excited about." He adds that "Miami is something that really excites me because there is a great energy down there. http://www.theoriolesteamshop.com/Orioles-Joey-Rickard-Kids-Jersey/ . Numbers Game looks into the Wild getting Matt Moulson from Buffalo. The Wild Get: LW Matt Moulson and LW Cody McCormick. PORTLAND, Ore. -- LaMarcus Aldridges big night against the Houston Rockets wasnt about the stats, the All-Star votes or the fans chanting "MVP! MVP!" "This was a we needed a win night for me," said Aldridge, who had 31 points and a career-high 25 rebounds in the Trail Blazers 111-104 victory Thursday. For Aldridge, it was important that Portland (19-4) come away with a win after losing to the Rockets earlier this season -- a rare blip for the Western Conference leaders. It was the first time in franchise history that a Blazers player scored 30 or more points with 25 or more rebounds. "Im blessed," Aldridge said. "(But) I felt tonight, it was needed." Dwight Howard had 32 points and 17 rebounds for the Rockets, who beat the Blazers 116-101 on Nov. 5. That was one of just two losses at home this season for Portland. The Trail Blazers led by 10 early in the fourth quarter, but Chandler Parsons hit a 3-pointer to narrow it to 93-88 with 7:07 left. Houston closed to 97-95 after James Harden made a layup and a free throw with 4:45 to go. Nicolas Batums 3-pointer pushed Portlands lead to 102-95 before Wesley Matthews layup and free throw made it 108-96 with 2:04 left and all but put the game out of reach for the Rockets. "They made some big plays down the stretch," Howard said. "It seemed like every time we would close the gap, they came down and got a great shot. This was big for them." Blazers centre Robin Lopez added 16 points and 10 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season, a career high. Portland was coming off a 105-94 victory in Utah on Monday. The Blazers have scored 100 or more points in 10 consecutive games. Houston had won two straight, including a 98-88 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. The Rockets (15-7) were without Omer Asik, who missed his fourth straight game with a bruised right thigh. Houston did get back guard Jeremy Lin, who missed the previous six games with a sprained right knee. Rockets coach Kevin McHale was not with the team bbecause of the death of his mother. J.J. Hardy Jersey. Her funeral is scheduled for Friday in Minnesota. Assistant coach Kelvin Sampson ran the club against the Blazers. "Portland is obviously really good, and theyre really good in this gym," Sampson said. "They are playing with a lot of confidence right now." Neither side was able to get in front by more than five points in the first half. Portland held a 21-20 lead after the opening quarter. Aldridge was just 1 for 7 from the floor but he had nine rebounds. Houston went ahead 32-28 on Parsons layup and Howards hook shot, and the Rockets led 44-43 at halftime. Neither team shot well, with Portland at 32 per cent and Houston at 36 per cent. The Rockets had just five first-half assists. The Blazers opened the second half with an 11-3 run capped by Matthews 3-pointer to take a 54-47 lead. Portland stretched the lead to 59-49 on Lopezs dunk and free throw. Aldridge got rolling with 11 points and eight rebounds. The Rockets closed the gap to 70-68 late in the third quarter when Howard hit a pair of free throws and dunked. Omri Casspi tied it at 70 on free throws with 2 minutes left. The game was tied going into the fourth quarter, but Portland scored 10 unanswered points to go up 86-76. "I think we go into games with a certain level of confidence, but, at the same time, we realize that were playing hard and our success is because were playing hard," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "Our record is what it is, but its not easy. You have to compete every night." NOTES: Aldridge has four 20-20 games, making him the fourth Blazers player with that many. He is the only NBA player with two this season. ... Houstons Terrence Jones went to Portlands Jefferson High School. ... It was the opener of a three-game road trip for the Rockets. ... The Blazers embark on a four-game trip starting at Philadelphia on Saturday. ... Former Oregon Ducks quarterback Darron Thomas threw mini footballs into the crowd to promote Portlands new Arena League team, which begins play next season. ' ' '