There will be friends and memories. Lots of memories. Some bad, most good. But, Vince Carter insists, there will be no hard feelings in the Meadowlands tonight when he faces his former Toronto team for the first time since he was traded.

“It’s being blown out of proportion. It would be a bigger deal if there were hard feelings, or hatred. There’s none of that,” insisted Carter.

“Am I looking forward to it because it’s the guys I know? Yes. Because it’s the team I played with? Yes,” he continued. “After that, I can’t get caught up in it because I still have to report in the locker room and deal with (coach) Lawrence Frank. I have to bring my game and play the game he wants me to play and try not to do too much. That’s why it’s just another game.”

Yup, just another game. A Bentley is just another car, “The Godfather” was just another movie. You get the idea.

Carter had a light practice as Frank eased up on the All-Star Weekend participant. Frank knows Carter’s value toward a playoff spot. The Nets are four games behind Atlantic Division leading Boston and with a favorable schedule, the Nets simply must win the games they should.

“Taking care of home and trying to win games we’re supposed to win on the road, regardless who the team is. And really continue playing with the confidence we’re playing with right now,” Carter said when asked for playoff keys.

To Frank, it simply means playing down the stretch the way good teams are supposed to play.

“You look at teams with the best records after the break, they’re all high-level teams,” Frank said. “So it gets tougher on everyone, so you really have to bring it every night.”

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Nets were light at practice yesterday: Jason Kidd’s plane did not get out of Mexico on time (he called Sunday night to alert coaches). Nenad Krstic was floored with bronchitis and Elden Campbell battled stomach virus.

Frank said Rodney Buford (ankle) might be available tonight. Buford didn’t sound as sure.

“I don’t know. It’s still sore. I’m way ahead of schedule. They told me 4 ½ weeks before I’d get on the bike and it’s been 3 ½ weeks and I’m already practicing,” said Buford, who did full workout.

With trading deadline Thursday, Nets are better than even money to stay put, having acquired Cliff Robinson and Campbell.

“We are entertaining every call and we’re exploring all possibilities. But at this time I don’t see anything imminent,” said GM Ed Stefanski.

(p. 69 in metro)