EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ? The vocal adulation for non-MVP Jason Kidd was timid in comparison to the chants for New Jersey’s masked man.

Lucious Harris shot 10-for-11 from the field and scored 24 points Tuesday night as the New Jersey Nets overcame a subpar performance from Kidd to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 102-88 for a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven series.

Charlotte's Robert Traylor, right, blocks a shot by New Jersey's Jason Collins. The Nets defeated the Hornets, 102-88, Tuesday night in East Rutherford, N.J.

“This is the best game I’ve ever had,” said Harris, a nine-year veteran who was appearing in only his fifth career playoff game.

Harris had his own personal 6-0 run after the Hornets pulled within three points with 512 minutes left, leading to a chant of “Lu-cious Har-ris” that was many times louder than the defiant “M-V-P” chants Kidd heard before player introductions.

“For so many years they were booing around here. To have them chanting your name is a big turnaround,” said Harris, who has been playing with a see-through mask for 512 weeks after fracturing a facial bone.

The Nets, who have felt all year that no one gives them the proper respect, entered this game feeling more snubbed than ever after Kidd failed to win the MVP award and Byron Scott lost out to Rick Carlisle in voting for coach of the Year.

They didn’t get much respect from the referees who put their big men into foul trouble early, but they likely earned it from the Hornets by playing a scrappier game and getting a big boost from their reserves.

The Nets had 14 offensive rebounds and 20 second-chance points in the first half; none of either in the second half.

Keith Van Horn added 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Richard Jefferson came off the bench to score 10. Harris reached 20 points for the fourth time this season and the first time in 41 games.

Kidd missed nine consecutive shots at one point and finished 5-for-18 from the field with 11 points, six assists and three rebounds, but those around him picked up the slack.

“That shows what we’ve become. Everybody on every given night can be chanted,” Kidd said.

Charlotte’s Baron Davis had the gaudier stat line among the two point guards with 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds, but he went scoreless for more than 15 minutes in the second half before making a meaningless free throw with 35 seconds left. Davis was 1-for-6 at the line.

David Wesley scored 17 points and Elden Campbell added 15 for the Hornets, who also fell into a 2-0 deficit in the second round a year ago before coming back to win their next three games against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Game 3 is Thursday in Charlotte.

“The 17 layups we gave up that concerns me more than the atmosphere we’ll have at home,” Charlotte coach Paul Silas said, referring to the Hornets’ first home game since an NBA committee unanimously approved their proposed move to New Orleans.

The Nets held an 86-74 lead after Kenyon Martin scored with 8:25 left, but Charlotte came storming back with a 9-0 run to make it a three-point game. Harris ended the run with a corner jumper, Martin blocked a shot by Davis and Harris turned it into a fast-break bucket to make it 90-83.

Harris’ short jumper from the opposite corner gave New Jersey a 92-83 edge, and Charlotte never threatened thereafter.

“I just felt good from the first shot,” Harris said. “It was a tough shot and I made it. It’s a good feeling when you come off the bench and get that first shot.”