• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Billups helping Nuggets improve defense

Nov 18, 2008 - 2:27 PM Milwaukee (5-6) at Denver (6-4) 9:00 p.m. EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- The addition of Chauncey Billups has helped the Denver Nuggets finally limit their opponents on offense.

Billups and the Nuggets try to earn their third straight win on Tuesday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks.

Denver ranked 29th in the NBA last season, surrendering 107.0 points per game while allowing the opposition to make 45.7 percent of its shots from the field.

However, in six games since acquiring Billups from the Detroit Pistons on November 3, the Nuggets have given up only 92.3 points a contest with opponents hitting 42.8 percent from the floor.

The improved defense has helped Denver earn five wins in its last six games and overcome poor offensive efforts. The Nuggets made only 33.7 percent (28-of-83) of their shots on Sunday, but limited the Minnesota Timberwolves to 39.7 percent (31-of-78) shooting en route to a 90-84 victory.

Billups led Denver with 26 points against the Timberwolves, but made just 7-of-23 shots (30.4 percent) while adding five assists and five rebounds. The 32-year-old guard is averaging 19.5 points and 6.0 assists, but is shooting only 36.7 percent with the Nuggets.

The Bucks are coming off a 102-97 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday, falling to 3-4 over their last seven games without Michael Redd, who has been sidelined by a sprained right ankle. Redd leads Milwaukee with 21.3 points per game and hopes to return against the Nuggets.