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.

Jason Kidd added 15 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Nets, who moved within one game of Cleveland for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with three games left.

“Everything around Vince helped us focus and concentrate,” Kidd said. “As much as he wanted to win, we wanted to win too.”

Jalen Rose had 20 points for the lottery-bound Raptors.

Fans also brought signs mocking Carter, and they chanted his name derisively. One even brought crutches, wore a Carter jersey and had his head heavily bandaged. Others wore baby bibs with the No. 15 written on the front.

“I thought they were trying to give him a compliment since his wife is due to have a baby,” Kidd joked.

New Jersey trailed by 14 at the half, but Carter scored 14 as New Jersey went on a 17-4 run to give the Nets a four-point lead midway through the third quarter.

Carter had 24 points in the second half, including 17 in the third quarter.

“You give that guy any kind of daylight, and he gets hot, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Toronto forward Chris Bosh said.

New Jersey outscored Toronto 60-35 in the second half.

Notes: Toronto general manager Rob Babcock has been criticized for getting little in return for Carter. The Raptors acquired forwards Eric and Aaron Williams, who both didn’t play against New Jersey. They also got Alonzo Mourning, who was bought out, and two draft picks. ... New Jersey coach Lawrence Frank said if Carter had played in Vancouver they’d still have a team.

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Jim Rogash / Getty Images

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