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Nuggets look to stay undefeated with Billups

Nov 13, 2008 - 11:19 AM Denver (4-3) at Cleveland (6-2) 8:00 p.m. EST

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Acquiring Chauncey Billups has provided instant returns for the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets look to stay undefeated since trading for Billups when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

Since acquiring Billups and two other players from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for nine-time Allen Iverson on November 3, Denver has won three straight games, including a 88-80 victory against the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old point guard Billups scored 16 points and added five assists against the Bobcats and has quickly found his role in the Nuggets' offense. He had 16 points and 10 assists during a 10-point victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday after registering 15 points, three assists and four rebounds in a 108-105 decision with the Dallas Mavericks in his Denver debut on Friday.

Billups and the Nuggets face a huge test against the Cavaliers, who are coming off a 99-93 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

LeBron James was outstanding again, scoring 24 of his 41 points in the second half to lead Cleveland to its fifth straight win. It was the second time in a row that the 23-year-old forward scored 41 points and the third time in his last three games. James leads the NBA, averaging just over 28 points per game.