Billups leads Clippers to win over Nuggets
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China Daily, January 31, 2012
After fans in Denver showed him their appreciation, Chauncey Billups gave them one more reason to miss their native son and rue the day he left.
Billups' homecoming couldn't have gone better. He scored a season-high 32 points and drew a crucial foul in the waning seconds to help seal the Los Angeles Clippers' 109-105 victory, which snapped the Denver Nuggets' six-game winning streak Sunday night.
It was Billups' first game at the Pepsi Center since the Nuggets included him in the Carmelo Anthony trade nearly a year ago.
The veteran guard received a rousing ovation during introductions.
"That was beautiful, man," Billups said. "That was beautiful."
The only visitor who got louder applause was Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, sitting courtside.
"That ovation was well-deserved," Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo said about Billups.
Nuggets coach George Karl said, "We didn't get a generous whistle. I thought the last play Chauncey was actually trying to foul Nene on purpose. That is a tough call in that situation."
Paul was fouled on the ensuing inbounds and sank two free throws to cap the win. He finished with 25 points, and Blake Griffin added 17.
"Chauncey's like me. It doesn't matter where you play, you want to win," Paul said. "You couldn't care less if you're at home or you're a thousand miles away from home, you just want to win."
