Peter Jones / Reuters

Nets guard Vince Carter is fouled by Raptors forward Morris Peterson. Carter scored 39 points in his return to Toronto on Friday.

updated 11:24 p.m. ET April 15, 2005

TORONTO - Vince Carter thrived in front of his former fans.

Carter ignored the boos and scored 39 points in his first game in Toronto since being traded, and the New Jersey Nets kept their playoff hopes alive by coming back from a 14-point halftime deficit for a 101-90 victory over the Raptors on Friday night.

Fans booed Carter from the moment stepped on the court, heckled him during the U.S. national anthem and jeered every time he touched the ball.

“When they go home tonight they have something to think about,” Carter said.

Additional security guards were posted by the Nets bench to protect Carter, who was once beloved but now reviled because he demanded a trade and acknowledged he didn’t push himself as hard as he should have in Toronto.

The jeering was far more sustained and louder than ex-Raptors Tracy McGrady and Damon Stoudamire received when they returned.

“I just kind of blocked it out,” said Carter who demanded out less than halfway into a six-year, $94 million contract. “I’m happy with the way things turned out. Maybe they are not, but this was a fun game believe it or not.”

Carter went 15-for-26 from the field. He also grabbed nine rebounds and had four assists, and his four free throws in the final 1:23 put the game away.

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