NBA: Denver 91, San Antonio 81

SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Chauncey Billups, whose acquisition has turned Denver into a potential powerhouse, scored 22 points Wednesday in leading Denver past San Antonio 91-81.

Denver improved to 7-1 since sending Allen Iverson to Detroit for Billups. Included in those victories have been road wins against both the Spurs and Boston.

The Nuggets remained in a first-place tie with Utah in the Northwest Division.

Billups shot 62 percent from the floor and made all nine foul shots in helping the Nuggets maintain a comfortable lead throughout the second half.

Carmelo Anthony added 21 points and Kenyon Martin had 19.

George Hill paced San Antonio with 20 points. Center Tim Duncan was limited to a dozen points while making only four of 13 shots from the field.

San Antonio continues to play without the injured Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, both of whom are expected to be out until mid-December. The Spurs had won three in a row.