Billups scores season-high 30 points against old Detroit mates

Allen Iverson received a 2-3 minute standing ovation when he was announced first in the opening line-ups. This was AI's first trip back to Denver after the early season trade that sent him to Detroit after nearly two seasons with the Nuggets. AI responded to the crowd with blown kisses and salutes.

Antonio McDyess, when he entered the game as a sub, and every time he touched the ball, received loud boos that echoed thru the Pepsi Center. McDyess shunned the Nuggets in that very same trade and basically forced the Nuggets to buy him out so he could eventually return to the Pistons a month after the trade.

On to Player Ratings for the game: (ratings on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest)

	Was the star for the Nuggets all night long, going 11-19 for 30 points, with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Unfortunately missed the final chance for the Nuggets at the buzzer on a long off-balance three.	Player rating: 4.5
	11 points on 3-13 shooting is an okay night for most players, but not for JR when we have no Carmelo. He went 5-7 from the line, but when the Nuggets were down by three late and he could tie the game with three makes, he missed the first.	Player rating: 1.0
	Nene had another more than solid game, but they needed to get him more touches in the 2nd half. He made 9-12 from the line.	Player rating: 4.0
	Martin had an okay game with 14 points on 6-15 shooting, but he had only 6 rebounds, zero blocks, and a team-high 4 turnovers.	Player rating: 2.5

Have a comment? Discuss this game in the NH Forums!

Game Summary written by: aswitzer