The center had 22 points, 13 rebounds and a career-high five blocked shots during the 106-103 loss to Miami, becoming the first Nets rookie to have a 20-10-5 game since Derrick Coleman (27-10-5) turned the trick 18 seasons ago.

And to top it off, he's showing more diversity than ever by dropping in two jump-hooks, two 10-footers off the dribble in the paint against Joel Anthony, and a face-up jumper from the baseline.

He's not about dunks and stickbacks anymore.

"It's something I'm been working on," Lopez said. "I'm trying to be patient with it. I took my time. I can shoot it."

"He gives us a post presence," Vince Carter said. "He's done a phenomenal job - (notably with) his ability to block shots. He's done a great job on offense: We wanted to get him the ball, and get him going. Once he got going, he was a big key for us. He really kept us in the game."

Bobby Simmons sat out last night with a scapula (shoulder blade) bruise - actually, two of them, which might be an NBA first.

"Two games ago he hurt one scapula, then he balanced it out and hurt the other scapula," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "Timmy (Walsh, the trainer) said it's kind of a weird Basketball injury, so we don't know how long it will take to get back."

Simmons says he knows: "I should be feeling better, and I'm looking forward to playing (tomorrow). A little rest should help me out the next couple days."

Trenton Hassell took Simmons' station at small forward, his first since Dec. 12, 2007, when he replaced Devin Harris in the Mavs' lineup.

Jarvis Hayes, who was so instrumental in Friday's win over Dallas, had an unfortunate collision with Anthony in the fourth quarter last night - crashing blindly into the shoulder of the screening Miami center and landing hard.

"I've got a headache," said Hayes, who left the game and was diagnosed with a mild concussion. "I didn't hear a thing - nothing. Like hitting a wall."

The Nets' backcourt didn't shoot well last night - Harris was 5-for-15,

Vince Carter was 5-for-14 - but they still seemed destined to make some team history this season.

For the second time this season, the guard duo combined for 75 points in a game Friday, falling short of the franchise record for single-game combo scoring by a single point. The record is held by John Williamson (50) and Bernard King (26), who teamed up to score 76 on April 4, 1978.

Harris and Carter scored 75 against Dallas, just as they did at Phoenix 22 days ago. Four other duos combined for 74, the last one being Kendall Gill (41) and Robert Pack (33) in January of 1997.