Billups, Anthony keep the Denver Nuggets unbeaten

By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer Nov 4, 10:55 pm EST

Preview | Box Score | Recap
  • Print

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Down by a point after sub-par first-half performances by Chauncey Billups(notes) and Carmelo Anthony(notes), the Denver Nuggets become the latest team to take advantage of the New Jersey Nets’ woes in the third quarter.

Billups and Anthony woke up the Nuggets by leading a 44-point third-quarter assault that carried unbeaten Denver to its fifth straight win, a 122-94 decision over the victory over the winless Nets on Wednesday night.

“The first half, we couldn’t it going at all,” said Billups, who scored all 12 of his points in the third quarter. “There are not many times when Melo and I are off at the same time. But the bench came in and did a great job. Sometimes, the shots don’t go, but we just had to regroup at halftime and get the job done.”

The 5-0 start is Denver’s best since winning six straight in 1985-86. It also handed the Nets their fifth straight loss, tying the worst start in franchise history, set in 1996-97.

“We knew going into halftime that obviously Carmelo and Chauncey were going to lead the charge and that’s exactly what they did,” said Nets coach Lawrence Frank, whose team scored seven points in the third quarter in a loss to Charlotte on Monday night. “They dominated the paint and the perimeter in the third quarter and we never recovered.”

Denver hit 17 of 25 shots and outscored the Nets 44-26 in the third quarter in turning a 51-50 deficit into a 94-77 lead.

“The equalizer in NBA basketball is that the game is long and the better team usually comes out after a while,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “Our two best players weren’t shooting well, but I felt pretty good about the way they came out in the third quarter.”

Billups scored the first seven points to give Denver the lead for good. Anthony, who was 1 of 11 in the first half, scored 11 of his 22 points in the quarter, which was five points shy of the Nets all-time worst third quarter.

“I wasn’t happy with the way things were going in the first half, so in the second half, I think we all wanted to pick it up in a hurry,” said Anthony, who was 7 of 13 in the second half.

Chris Douglas-Roberts(notes) had 19 points to lead the Nets, who were without All-Star guard Devin Harris(notes) and four other injured players. Eduardo Najera(notes) had 14 points for New Jersey in his first start of the season.

“Every game, including the preseason, we struggle in the third quarter,” Najera said. “I don’t know what it is but we have to figure it out. We can’t come out every third quarter and basically let the other team do whatever they want. We have to learn and stay patient. It’s not going to happen overnight.”

Former Net Kenyon Martin(notes) added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets. Rookie Ty Lawson(notes) added a season-high 23 points on 9 of 10 shooting. Nene had 16 and nine rebounds, while Aaron Afflalo had 15.

Billups, who was in foul trouble in the first half and didn’t score, hit two free throws, a drive and a 3-pointer in the opening 1:11 to give the Nuggets a 57-51 lead. Nene added two free throw and a big jam and Anthony had an alley-oop, a reverse layup and a drive to cap the 21-6 spurt that put Denver ahead 71-57.

New Jersey never got close after that.

NOTES: The Nets dressed 10 players with Tony Battie(notes), Keyon Dooling(notes), Jarvis Hayes(notes) and Yi Jianlian(notes) out with injuries. … Denver’s Joey Graham(notes) missed the game with sprained right big toe. … The 22 points were Anthony’s lowest output of the season. He came in averaging a league-high 34.5 points. … Denver has scored at least 110 points in 11 of its last 14 regular-season games dating to last season. … Billups had scored at least 20 points in each of the Nuggets first four games.

Updated Nov 4, 10:55 pm EST
digg del.icio.us
more

Next Opponents

New Jersey at Denver

Tue Nov 24, 2009, 9:00 pm EST

Denver vs New Jersey

Tue Nov 24, 2009, 9:00 pm EST

NBA

27 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. The Drinker
    27. Posted by The Drinker Thu Nov 5 10:48pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Denver's First Loss Comes December 16th.(circle your calenders Nuggets fans).

    "CHEERS"
  2. GoodOleBoyCo
    26. Posted by GoodOleBoyCo Thu Nov 5 9:33pm EST

    Report Abuse

    OK NUGSS FANS....SEASON IS OVER. The Lakers official fan representative, Jose, has stated that that SA and LA ar locks for the WC championship. Let's end the season now and let SA and LA fans talk smack for 4 months, then resume play for conference finals and NBA title series. There is always next year Nugget fans. Thanks Jose.... BTW can you please tell me who will win the Superbowl? I've got Vegas on my speed dial waiting for your prediction.
  3. OH yeaH
    25. Posted by OH yeaH Thu Nov 5 4:26pm EST

    Report Abuse

    LAKERS good defensive teams???? they Almost lost against THE OKC and Rockets who has no go to guy
  4. Jose
    24. Posted by Jose Thu Nov 5 11:59am EST

    Report Abuse

    and remember last time lakers played the nuggets:

    Lakers 119 Nuggets 92 IN DENVER and we had no artest.
  5. Jose
    23. Posted by Jose Thu Nov 5 11:51am EST

    Report Abuse

    denver fans will be disappointed again this season. the reason why the nuggets are 5-0 is cus they haven't played any good defensive teams. right now they're just outscoring opponents. spurs and lakers are still better. the lakers are better offensively and defensively and the spurs are better defensively but can keep up with them offensively. sorry carmelo, maybe next season.
  6. <i>scotttracy72</i>
    22. Posted by scotttracy72 Thu Nov 5 11:14am EST

    Report Abuse

    JR Swish makes his return next week in Chicago.
  7. HELLO
    21. Posted by HELLO Thu Nov 5 10:41am EST

    Report Abuse

    The Nets are clearing cap space. If everything goes perfect for them. They will be in Brooklyn next year with Lebron and Wade and maybe even Bosh on the same team. They would then go from worst to a title.
    10 wins to 70 wins.

    Denver is my pic in the west to go all the way. Melo is becoming a real man now. A leader. With Billips and Melo being strong leaders and good men they will go a long way. Actually I like them for the title right now.
  8. <i>nettech_00</i>
    20. Posted by nettech_00 Thu Nov 5 6:56am EST

    Report Abuse

    Does anyone know when JR Smith is coming back?
  9. <i>bunshintechnique</i>
    19. Posted by bunshintechnique Thu Nov 5 6:18am EST

    Report Abuse

    David M,

    Look at your favorite Lakers past games. They were always in the brink of losing but already lost to the Mavs. Sub-par Teams like Thunders and Rockets almost beat them going into OT.
  10. lakeshow
    18. Posted by lakeshow Thu Nov 5 4:14am EST

    Report Abuse

    I wouldn't be surprised if the Nets won no more than 10 games this year. Besides Devin Harris, there is just not enough talent on this team.
  11. David M
    17. Posted by David M Thu Nov 5 3:50am EST

    Report Abuse

    DC your wrong…true test are gonna be when they travel to L.A. and Orlando!!!! nuggets are gonna have it to easy against the smelltics lol
  12. Don
    16. Posted by Don Thu Nov 5 1:41am EST

    Report Abuse

    Happy to see that Melo's season last year wasn't a fluke. Finally keeping a draft pick is working great for the Nuggets as well with Ty Lawson. The Nuggets had been missing depth for awhile which made them just an afterthought but now with Lawson, Andersen, JR Smith (starter or bench), Graham, and Afflalo they are a legitimate contender.
  13. SINISTER6000DJM
    15. Posted by SINISTER6000DJM Thu Nov 5 1:37am EST

    Report Abuse

    2009-10 5-0, '85-'86 6-0, '76-'77 8-0. George Karl gets win #938 to tie Red Auerbach.
  14. Reppin 4rm Big D to Jrzy
    14. Posted by Reppin 4rm Big D to Jrzy Thu Nov 5 12:57am EST

    Report Abuse

    i think we would be lettin frank off the hook if we fired him before this season is over
  15. SteveKing77
    13. Posted by SteveKing77 Thu Nov 5 12:28am EST

    Report Abuse

    Only Celtics and Nuggets are undefeated. Who would have guessed that. All "experts" say it will be a 5 team race this year and to quote Bill Simons who just wrote a 750 page book on basketball other than the the five (LA, Cleveland, SA, Boston, and Orlando) there is not a chance at a suprise team to win it. Well everyone lets add a 6th name to the mix. GO Nuggets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  16. DC
    12. Posted by DC Thu Nov 5 12:24am EST

    Report Abuse

    The Nuggets is lookin' pretty good right now.

    Their true test is when they run into L.A. or Boston.
  17. <i>sjdaniel</i>
    11. Posted by sjdaniel Thu Nov 5 12:00am EST

    Report Abuse

    How about Ty Lawson eh? This team is on a mission, and doing it without JR Smith no less. Two more sets of back to backs (thanks NBA) and they get JR back after the next two. After Melo carrying the Nugs the first 3 games, the rest of the bunch has stepped up to make up the difference to put the games away by the 4th. Keep it rolling Nuggets!
  18. they call me Edward a.k.a Wesley
    10. Posted by they call me Edward a.k.a Wesley Wed Nov 4 11:53pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Kmart is a beast i remember watching him in college.
  19. OH yeaH
    9. Posted by OH yeaH Wed Nov 4 11:53pm EST

    Report Abuse

    They will Be very very sCAry when JR SMITH Comes BACk
  20. <i>the_atarisrm</i>
    8. Posted by the_atarisrm Wed Nov 4 11:52pm EST

    Report Abuse

    The reserve backcourt, when JR makes it back, of Lawson and Afflalo will be the fastest in the league. These guys are going to be able to run teams into submission in 2nd and 3rd quarters. Throw a small team out there consisting of fast guards and some hustle forwards and that's a deadly bench.
  21. Donald M
    7. Posted by Donald M Wed Nov 4 11:42pm EST

    Report Abuse

    George Karl kicks tail
  22. Sean M
    6. Posted by Sean M Wed Nov 4 11:41pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Love it! Nuggets picked to finish 6th in west. Broncos and Avs are suppose to finish dead last. All three teams are in first place and thier combined losses are 4 after 27 games. Chargers have lost 3 games out of 7 all on thier own.

    Oops, and the Rockies, who were suppose to finish 4th, went to the playoffs this year.

    Hey there, east coast writers, how do you like our little sports town now???
  23. <i>wjrudy</i>
    5. Posted by wjrudy Wed Nov 4 10:49pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Looking good... not necessarily because of the record (as the Nuggs have played a few struggling teams) - but because they are winning the games they are supposed to be winning, and doing it handily. Good teams usually split with other good teams, but the teams that finally rise to the top are the ones who in addition always/almost always take care of business against the poorer, struggling or hurting teams. The really good teams don't let up, and don't let opportunities slip away. They get the job done when they're supposed to. Looking for the Nuggets to continue this attitude throughout the year.
  24. Alp
    4. Posted by Alp Wed Nov 4 10:43pm EST

    Report Abuse

    whoo all we need is a lakers loss and we're good!
  25. R.R.
    3. Posted by R.R. Wed Nov 4 10:39pm EST

    Report Abuse

    Yeahhh Nuggz 5-0, don't sleep on meloooo
Sign in to post a comment, or sign up for a free account

Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Denver
N. Hilario Nene Hilario
5-6,  16 Pts
9 Rebs, 4 Assists
 New Jersey
C. Douglas-Roberts Chris Douglas-Roberts
7-17,  19 Pts
7 Rebs, 1 Assists

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Rebounds
Assists

Scoreboard

Wednesday, Nov 4

YAHOO! SPORTS

ALSO ON YAHOO!

THINGS YOU CAN DO

- Site Map

Copyright © 2009 2009 STATS LLC and The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the STATS/AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of STATS LLC and The Associated Press.