NBA Recap: Chauncey Billups dominates as the Denver Nuggets down the Detroit Pistons 109-100
Chauncey Billups registered a game-high 26 points as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Detroit Pistons 109-100 on Wednesday night at Palace of Auburn Hills.
Carmelo Anthony also contributed 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists to help the Nuggets secure their seventh win in the previous nine games of the season. Guard Arron Afflalo ended with 17 points, 2 assists, and 4 rebounds. Afflalo is averaging 43.7 percent from long range this season, placing him among the league's top 15. Shelden Williams, who replaced centre Nene, had 13 points while Al Harrington added 10 points for the Bronchos.
For the Pistons, Will Bynum scored a team-high 19 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds while Ben Gordon had 15 points. Tracy McGrady and rookie Greg Monroe each had 14 points each for the Pistons, who scored the first nine points of the game but then lost the lead and struggled to take control. Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva also scored 11 points after missing two games with a right ankle sprain. Tayshaun Prince finished with 10 for the Pistons.
Game Story
The Pistons scored the game's first nine points but Denver made use of the free throw line early to help build a quick lead. The Nuggets took a 29-24 lead into the second quarter.
Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey suffered a right shoulder contusion with 1:37 remaining in the first quarter when he crashed into Anthony’s pick. Later X-rays were negative, but Stuckey did not return to the game.
The Pistons fought hard to cut the deficit in the second frame. However, on the back of a 13-5 run, Denver pushed their lead to 42-29 early in the second. The Nuggets never trailed again successfully maintained a 56-50 advantage at the end of first half.
Denver and Detroit began the third quarter at a crisp pace, scoring 24 points apiece. After a tightly contested third quarter, the Pistons turned the screws in the fourth. Bynum scored 17 of his 19 points in the final period and pulled the Pistons within one on a driving layup with 3:15 remaining in the game.
Billups answered for the Nuggets, 14 seconds later, when he nailed a three over the 6-foot Bynum. Carmelo Anthony followed with a three-point play before Billups proceeded to victimize Bynum with three more 3-pointers in the final 1:15 to seal the victory.
While talking about Billups big fourth quarter, Bynum said, "Those were some tough shots. Not much, you can say. Chauncey is one of the top guards in the NBA. He pretty much took over down the stretch."
Unsung Players
Detroit guard Richard Hamilton after being benched in the previous eight games, was not at the arena because of the stomach flu. Denver forward Kenyon Martin was dressed but did not play. He was being rested on the second end of a back-to-back.
Chauncey Billups registered a game-high 26 points as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Detroit Pistons 109-100 on Wednesday night at Palace of Auburn Hills.
Carmelo Anthony also contributed 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists to help the Nuggets secure their seventh win in the previous nine games of the season. Guard Arron Afflalo ended with 17 points, 2 assists, and 4 rebounds. Afflalo is averaging 43.7 percent from long range this season, placing him among the league's top 15. Shelden Williams, who replaced centre Nene, had 13 points while Al Harrington added 10 points for the Bronchos.
For the Pistons, Will Bynum scored a team-high 19 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds while Ben Gordon had 15 points. Tracy McGrady and rookie Greg Monroe each had 14 points each for the Pistons, who scored the first nine points of the game but then lost the lead and struggled to take control. Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva also scored 11 points after missing two games with a right ankle sprain. Tayshaun Prince finished with 10 for the Pistons.
Game Story
The Pistons scored the game's first nine points but Denver made use of the free throw line early to help build a quick lead. The Nuggets took a 29-24 lead into the second quarter.
Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey suffered a right shoulder contusion with 1:37 remaining in the first quarter when he crashed into Anthony’s pick. Later X-rays were negative, but Stuckey did not return to the game.
The Pistons fought hard to cut the deficit in the second frame. However, on the back of a 13-5 run, Denver pushed their lead to 42-29 early in the second. The Nuggets never trailed again successfully maintained a 56-50 advantage at the end of first half.
Denver and Detroit began the third quarter at a crisp pace, scoring 24 points apiece. After a tightly contested third quarter, the Pistons turned the screws in the fourth. Bynum scored 17 of his 19 points in the final period and pulled the Pistons within one on a driving layup with 3:15 remaining in the game.
Billups answered for the Nuggets, 14 seconds later, when he nailed a three over the 6-foot Bynum. Carmelo Anthony followed with a three-point play before Billups proceeded to victimize Bynum with three more 3-pointers in the final 1:15 to seal the victory.
While talking about Billups big fourth quarter, Bynum said, "Those were some tough shots. Not much, you can say. Chauncey is one of the top guards in the NBA. He pretty much took over down the stretch."
Unsung Players
Detroit guard Richard Hamilton, benched the previous eight games, and was not at the arena because of the stomach fl Denver forward Kenyon Martin was dressed but did not play. He was being rested on the second end of a back-to-back.
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