Billups scored a season-best 32 points, hit six treys and drew a key foul on Nene late in the fourth quarter to help the Los Angeles Clippers top the Nuggets.

Billups received a warm greeting from the fans and even talked with Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, but as the game went on the cheers for Billups changed to groans as he put a dagger through the heart of the Nuggets and their fans.

• Nene held his own against Blake Griffin and led the Nuggets with 18 points and nine rebounds. He was held scoreless for the first 18 minutes of the second half but was able to score eight of Denver’s final 12 points – including two big dunks late.
• Andre Miller once again had a double-double, with 16 points and 10 assists. His outside shot wasn’t working, but he proved he could get to the basket and match the Clippers’ lob city. There were some minor concerns about his defense, especially on the perimeter.
• George Karl is starting to show more trust in center Timofey Mozgov, who wasn’t intimidated by Griffin or DeAndre Jordan. Mozgov also did a great job running the floor.
• Danilo Gallinari hasn’t shot the bell well over the past two games, but he did chip in 17 points for the Nuggets and defended Chris Paul down the stretch.
• Julyan Stone and Rudy Fernandez gave the Nuggets a spark off the bench. Stone finally looked comfortable and hit his first trey of his pro career and blocked a shot in the short time he was on the floor. Fernandez had 12 points off the bench and made a crazy tip in to beat the clock and give the Nuggets a six-point advantage going into the fourth.

Maybe it was losing Rudy Fernandez in the first half due to an injury, maybe it was a hangover from Friday’s exciting victory over the Miami Heat or maybe it was the disappointment that Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos were ousted from the playoffs on Sunday. No matter what the Nuggets didn’t really show any energy or emotion.

Danilo Gallinari was benched in the third quarter due to his lack of production, Andre Miller found himself on the bench later as well after another lackluster performance.

To make matters worst the Nuggets were atrocious, once again, from the free throw stripe. Nene missed five of seven, while Arron Afflalo missed four of his 10 attempts. Gallinari went 12-for-12 from the line.

But nobody should be off the hook for this loss. (more…)