There were 14 games in the NBA on Friday night, but most of the talk in Florida was about one that doesn't come until Sunday: the Los Angeles Lakers-Miami Heat matchup that brings the next chapter in the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal rivalry.

Vince Carter was listening, and didn't like what he heard. Then he went out and tied a career high with 51 points, scoring 37 in the second half, as the New Jersey Nets extended their season-high winning streak to five games with a 95-88 victory over the Heat.

"All day I've been watching TV and they were mentioning the Christmas Day game without mentioning they had a game tonight, or to watch the Nets," Carter said. "We're just trying to earn respect."

There were other impressive performances Friday - Allen Iverson scored 53 points, Washington's Gilbert Arenas had 41 and the Clippers' Elton Brand had 38 points and 20 rebounds - but Carter's stood out while coming against one of the league's best teams.

"Basically, one guy beat us. ... Vince was unbelievable," Heat coach Pat Riley said.