Carter was ejected with 6:48 remaining in the second period of the Nets? 83-75 loss Wednesday afternoon at the Palace of Auburn Hills after a verbal confrontation with official Derrick Stafford.

According to reporters sitting near the altercation and team sources, Carter became incensed because he thought Stafford called him "boy."

No one heard what was said by Stafford, who like Carter is African-American. But reporters on the far end of the court, where the incident occurred when Carter disagreed with an out-of-bounds call, maintained they heard Carter saying, "Don?t call me, boy," to Stafford.

Carter received two technical fouls in a span of three seconds for the second ejection of his 11-year career.

"He was fired up," Devin Harris said. "He was pretty ticked off. From the things I heard [from Carter], rightfully so. But it?s out of our hands now."

"The official said something to Vince that Vince thought was very inappropriate and he reacted," coach Lawrence Frank said.

"Vince doesn?t have a reputation of a guy who?s going to rack up technicals. It?s very, very disappointing that he was thrown out of the game so early."

Carter rushed past reporters and got on the team bus, refusing to comment after his and the Nets? hopes for a happy New Year were spoiled by the loss that dropped them to 15-17.

A Pistons? official asked referees? crew chief Danny Crawford about what Stafford allegedly said and was told referees will only comment on rules interpretations. But Stafford did deny a report that Carter head-butted him during the argument, the Pistons? official said.

On the play, Allen Iverson drove and got caught under the basket and tried to make a pass. Carter blocked it and the ball appeared to hit Iverson?s jersey. Iverson was out of bounds at the time.

Stafford ruled it was the Pistons? ball. Carter argued and quickly was dismissed, leaving with four points.

Harris and Frank tried to restrain Carter, but they were late because the technicals came so quickly. Carter blew up after the second technical and Frank ran onto the floor to try to control Carter.

"It was two quick ones," Harris said. "Some things were said, allegedly, and what not. I?m sure the NBA will take care of that."

Harris said he?s never seen Carter that angry before. Harris also said he asked Stafford what he said.

"That?s all I?m going to say," Harris said.

Carter?s only other ejection came Feb. 11, 2005 when he charged after Bruce Bowen after the Spurs? forward stuck his foot under Carter as he came down from a jump shot.

The Nets already were short-handed in the backcourt as backup guard Keyon Dooling missed his second straight game with a sore right hip.

The Pistons had their own problems as Richard Hamilton (groin) missed his third straight game and Rasheed Wallace left in the first quarter with a sore right foot.

Lost in the Carter controversy was how hard the Nets fought to come back from 16 points down in the second period and then 15 in the fourth.

It was 75-72 with about three minutes left after a Yi Jianlian basket inside.

But the Nets couldn?t close it out despite rookie Brook Lopez?s 23 points and 12 rebounds, and 19 points and nine assists by Harris.

Iverson had 19 to lead Detroit and scored six in the last 2:40 to secure the win.

"On the road, short-handed, we gave ourselves a chance," Frank said. "We put ourselves in a position to win a game on the road and we just couldn?t make enough shots over the course of time, but at least we gave ourselves a chance."