The Hawks, who opened the season with six straight wins, have lost two in a row. Joe Johnson scored 30 of his game-high 32 in the second half. Marvin Williams and Flip Murray each had 21 points.
The game was the first of a home-and-home series. The rematch is Saturday night in Atlanta.
Harris connected on consecutive 3-pointers 4 minutes into the final period to put the Nets ahead to stay at 88-84.
Johnson's floater with 4:15 remaining cut the New Jersey lead to 97-93.
Then Carter responded for the Nets with a series of clutch baskets to hold the Hawks at bay.
Sparked by the return of Harris, the Nets jumped out to a 14-5 lead. Harris and Lopez, making his first NBA start in place of the injured Josh Boone, combined to score all 14 points.
New Jersey led 27-22 after one quarter.
Atlanta battled back for a 50-49 lead at the half, powered by outstanding 8-of-11 shooting from 3-point range. Williams lead the Hawks with 17 points in the half, connecting on all three of his 3-point shots.
The Hawks were ahead 76-73 after three quarters as Johnson started to find the range. He had nine in the period after getting only two in the first half.
Notes: The Nets inactives were Boone (left ankle contusion), Chris Douglas-Roberts (sprained MCL, right knee) and Stromile Swift (sore back). Eduardo Najera was not in uniform because of a strained neck and sore lower back. ... The Hawks inactives were Speedy Claxton (left knee), Josh Smith (sprained left ankle) and Thomas Gardner. ... Zaza Pachulia, listed as questionable because of a sore left shoulder, started for the Hawks. ... Bobby Simmons played in his 350th career game.
