NBA: Denver 118, Sacramento 85

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The Denver Nuggets, led by Chauncey Billups' 24 points and four assists, cruised to a 118-85 rout of Sacramento Saturday night.

Denver quickly took the home crowd out of the game with a dominating 37-18 first period, highlighted by a 10-0 run in just over a minute leading to a 15-4 lead. The lead was 60-39 at the break and 89-62 lead after the third period.

Renaldo Balkman finished with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith and Nene all scored 16 points for the Nuggets, who have won four of their last five contests.

After a one-game absence due to a groin injury, John Salmons led Sacramento with 22 points and five rebounds. Beno Udrih had 14 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Francisco Garcia scored 11 points.

Spencer Hawes scored 10 with 12 rebounds, while Jason Thompson added eight points and 15 rebounds in the Kings' franchise-record eighth consecutive home loss.