LOS ANGELES: Chauncey Billups scored a career-high 39 points, including nine 3-pointers, as the Denver Nuggets beat Los Angeles 126-113 in the NBA on Friday, ending the Lakers’ eight-game home winning streak.
Billups was 12 of 20 from the floor, 9 of 13 from 3-point range and made 6 of 8 free throws to go with eight assists for the Nuggets, who beat the Western Conference leaders despite being without injured Carmelo Anthony for the seventh straight game.
Hawks 91, Bulls 81: In Atlanta, Josh Smith posted his second career triple-double as Atlanta defeated Chicago.
Smith had 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, while Joe Johnson added 18 points for the Hawks, who regrouped after trailing by six to open the fourth quarter.
Rockets 101, Grizzlies 83: In Memphis, Tennessee, Aaron Brooks had 19 points and eight rebounds to steer Houston past Memphis. Trevor Ariza and Carl Landry finished with 17 points apiece for the Rockets.
Wizards 92, Magic 91: In Orlando, Florida, Caron Butler made a long jump shot with 0.5 seconds remaining to cap Washington’s comeback from a 21-point deficit and victory over Orlando.
Butler finished with 31 points and nine rebounds, and Randy Foye had 22 points and seven assists for the Wizards, who snapped the Magic’s winning streak at four.
Suns 114, Kings 102: In Sacramento, California, Phoenix completed a perfect four-game road trip by sinking Sacramento.
Steve Nash had 23 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, while Amare Stoudemire scored 30 points and had nine rebounds as the Suns completed a four-game road sweep for the first time in three seasons.
76ers 101, Hornets 94: In New Orleans, Thaddeus Young made his first seven shots and finished with 19 points to lead Philadelphia over undermanned New Orleans.
Timberwolves 117, Mavericks 108: In Dallas, Minnesota finished the game on a 13-2 run to snap a 13-game losing streak against Dallas.