Chauncey Billups scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 91-81 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
The Nuggets have won seven of eight games since acquiring Billups in a trade with the Detroit Pistons two weeks ago.
Billups, an all star and NBA champion, dished out six assists and Carmelo Anthony added 21 points and nine rebounds as Denver (8-4) snapped a three-game win streak for the Spurs (5-6).
"I have a lot of pride with Denver," Denver native Billups told reporters. "Being able to now have that 'Denver' across my chest just makes me feel good."
Filling the distribution role Denver lacked with the attack-minded Allen Iverson, Billups has been the perfect fit for the Nuggets averaging 18.7 points and 5.8 assists since joining the team.
He scored seven points during an 11-1 run in the third quarter that gave the Nuggets a commanding 75-54 advantage over the Spurs.
Playing without injured guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, San Antonio struggled to 38 percent shooting from the field including just 2-for-17 from the three-point line.
Rookie point guard George Hill led the Spurs with 20 points and Tim Duncan was held to 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin recorded 18 points and seven rebounds in a strong game that included top notch defense against Duncan.
Pistons 96, Cavaliers 89
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, the Allen Iverson-led Detroit Pistons cooled off their second hot NBA team in less than a week, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-89.
After inflicting the Los Angeles Lakers' first loss of the season on Friday, the Pistons proved too good for a Cleveland team that came into the game having won eight straight.
Iverson had 23 points, leading a fourth-quarter surge that sealed the game and moved Detroit within half a game of the Cavaliers, who lead the Central Division.
Jazz 105, Bucks 94
In Salt Lake City, Utah stayed undefeated at home and extended their mastery of Milwaukee to eight straight games.
C.J. Miles scored a season-high 25 points for the Jazz. and Carlos Boozer added 20 points and 11 rebounds before leaving because of a strained quadriceps.
Utah kept pace with Denver as leaders of the Northwest.
Raptors 101, Heat 95
In Miami, Toronto gave up most of a big lead but held on to beat a Miami team led by a stellar Dwayne Wade performance.
Andrea Bargnani scored a season-high 25 points and Jermaine O'Neal added 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Raptors.
Wade finished with season highs of 40 points and 11 assists, plus added a career-best five blocks. Since blocks became an official stat, the only other player to have a 40-10-5 effort was Alvan Adams of Phoenix in 1977, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Toronto squandered much of a 17-point, late-third-quarter lead but ultimately scrambled to beat Miami for the second time in four days.
Trail Blazers 116, Bulls 74
In Portland, Oregon, the hosts built a 30-point lead in the first half and went on to trounce Chicago.
Greg Oden had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in his home debut. Oden, sidelined all of last season by a knee injury after being the top draft pick, entered the game to a standing ovation in the first quarter and dunked seconds later. The 7-footer had his third double-double in four games after missing six of Portland's first seven games this season because of foot injury.
Mavericks 96, Rockets 86
In Houston, Dallas notched its third straight win over its Texas rival Houston.
Jason Terry scored 31 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks.
Kings 105, Hornets 96
In New Orleans, John Salmons scored 29 points to lead Sacramento over New Orleans.
Bobby Jackson had all eight of his points in the final 5:10 for the Kings.
Hawks 91, Wizards 87
In Atlanta, Marvin Williams hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 26 seconds left as Atlanta snapped a four-game losing streak by downing Washington.
T-wolves 102, 76ers 96
In Minneapolis, Minnesota ended an eight-game losing skid by defeating Philadelphia.
Al Jefferson scored six of his 25 points in the final 3-1/2 to shore up victory for the Timberwolves, who won for the first time since their opening game of the season.
(Agencies via China Daily November 21, 2008)