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Billups does heavy lifting in Nuggets win

With Melo limited by elbow injury, guard leads win

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 30, 2008 at 8:26 p.m.

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Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups goes up for a shot against Rockets swingman Luis Scola during the first quarter Sunday night.

Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press

Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups goes up for a shot against Rockets swingman Luis Scola during the first quarter Sunday night.

Nuggets guard J.R. Smith drives for a reverse layup against the Rockets on Sunday night at the Pepsi Center. In a reserve role, Smith went 6-for-14 from the floor in scoring 19 points.

Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood / Nbae Via Getty Images

Nuggets guard J.R. Smith drives for a reverse layup against the Rockets on Sunday night at the Pepsi Center. In a reserve role, Smith went 6-for-14 from the floor in scoring 19 points.

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Carmelo Anthony couldn't even lift his 11/2-year-old son Kiyan. So apparently he was in no shape to grapple with 7-foot-6, 310-pound Yao Ming and 6-7, 260- pound Ron Artest.

The Nuggets forward didn't play in the second half Sunday night at the Pepsi Center because of a right elbow contusion, and he watched as the NBA's longest active consecutive-games streak of scoring in double figures ended at 222. But there were plenty of other Denver players around to do the heavy lifting.

The Nuggets beat the Houston Rockets 104-94 at the Pepsi Center as guard Chauncey Billups scored 24 of his season-high 28 points in the second half.

"It was a pain to where I couldn't even dribble the basketball," said Anthony, who was held to two points on 1-for-4 shooting in 14 minutes and called it his decision not to play in the second half. "I tried to lift my son up after the game and I couldn't even do that. I don't know what they got for me (today with treatment), but I'll do it."

Anthony said his elbow has bothered him since training camp, and he aggravated it in recent days. But Anthony, who said he was "hurting a lot" before the game but kept it to himself, expects to play Tuesday against Toronto.

"I'll be OK," he said. "I'll get through it. It's just something I couldn't (get through Sunday). I was out there trying to shoot the ball. Even when I was rebounding and passing the ball, I couldn't

really do that. . . . My arm was just weak out there."

The last time Anthony didn't scored in double figures was Nov. 28, 2005, when he suffered a sprained ankle against New Jersey and left after 11/2 minutes with two points.

The NBA's longest active double-figure streak now belongs to Cleveland's LeBron James at 134 straight.

"I don't worry about things like that," Anthony said. "I got about 10 more years to get that streak back."

The Nuggets (12-6) didn't seem to worry much about Anthony being out. They led 48-44 at halftime, and the depleted Rockets never got any closer.

The Rockets (11-7) played without Tracy McGrady (sore left knee), Brent Barry (strained right calf) and Shane Battier (sore left foot).

Yao led them with 18 points, but he looked tired at the end.

Billups didn't wear down.

"I wanted to come out aggressive, especially in the second half with Melo being out," said Billups, who also had 10 assists as the Nuggets raised their record to 11-3 since his arrival after he was acquired from Detroit.

"I knew I had to step up and try to play a little bigger role. Everybody did."

The Nuggets got 19 points from reserve guard J.R. Smith and 17 points and 10 rebounds from center Nene.

Smith has been more up and down lately than Jones. No, not Dahntay Jones, Dow Jones.

Smith was benched Wednesday against the Clippers because Nuggets coach George Karl said he was late for a practice. Then he scored 32 points against New Or- leans on Thursday.

Smith played only seven scoreless minutes Saturday at Minnesota. But he logged about 30 minutes Sunday, shooting 6-for-14, including 5-for-9 from three-point range.

"J.R. is a good-bad player, and we're trying to take the bad out and magnify the good. . . . And consistency, defense and a positive, good attitude would keep him on the court," Karl said. "But I don't think he gives us always those three every night we play. Some nights I'll tolerate his bad and some nights I'm probably going to go someplace else."

Smith is used to his up-and- down nature.

"That's the story of my life," Smith said. "It's been like that since I got here. . . . (Karl) and I have been (battling) for a couple of years but, hopefully, we'll kiss and make up soon."

Count Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin as one glad to see Smith redeem himself once again.

"I told him, 'Way to bounce back,' " Martin said. "And I told him that the previous game, when he didn't play. . . . That's a sign of a true professional, that he's grown a lot over the last few years."

Martin scored 15 points and had four of Denver's 14 blocked shots, with teammate Chris Andersen getting five, his most since blocking seven with New Orleans on April 6, 2005, against Denver. Martin also dispensed some kind words to Billups.

"I told him after the game I appreciate him being here, because I really do," Martin said.

After all, Billups gave the Nuggets a lift on a night Anthony couldn't even lift Kiyan.

Comments

  • November 30, 2008

    11:46 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Highcountry writes:

    Billups rules! And Karl needs to grow up and talk to Smith.

  • December 1, 2008

    6:29 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gatengreen writes:

    The Nuggets certainly look better after the trade for Billups.

    A note to J.R., I remember a speech by Vince Lombardi about being on time. You should allot time to be at every meeting 15 minutes early. Doing that never gives whoever you are to meet with, the perception that you don't care. You have the talent to go places and do things that most of us are not blessed with. Don't screw it up with an attitude.

  • December 1, 2008

    8:27 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Highcountry writes:

    Agreed about J.R. And while I think Karl could communicate better with the kid and that the coach needs to grow up with him, I also love Dahntay Jones' game. I'm happy with him as the starter.

  • December 1, 2008

    9:34 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coffee_Mug writes:

    Here's a thought JR, be to practice on time and bring a positive team attitude with you. It seemed to work out better for you. Great job Nugs, keep it going.

  • December 1, 2008

    10:05 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    wj_nugs writes:

    GK and JR both need to grow up and get some resolution. Things are going well and the excitement is great so we definitely don't need any immature players and/or coaches debilitating the progress.
    There are so many good things happening this year- the growth of Nene, the maturity of Melo's all-around game, Kenyon's defense and leadership, Chauncey's arrival, and the bench. Portland and Utah are obviously tough so we need all of the fore mentioned elements to provide cohesiveness.

  • December 1, 2008

    10:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coltgm56 writes:

    JR, don't let it bring you down. Your team and the fans support you. Do the best you can with Karl and believe that he is trying to make you a better player. (Karl needs to grow up also, see:Highcountry) Just remember, you will still be here when Karl is long gone. Chauncy is our real Coach, listen to him and stay positive!!!

  • December 1, 2008

    2:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    FatTony writes:

    What's to communicate with JR? He knows what he needs to do. It's no big secret. He's been told before, but yet he acts like it is something new. I hope he gets his shite together, because we'll need him.