Nuggets slip past Bulls on Billups’ free throw

CHICAGO (AP) – Chauncey Billups hit the go-ahead free throw with six-tenths of a second left as the Denver Nuggets beat the Chicago Bulls 90-89 on Tuesday after a potential winning jumper by Brad Miller was overturned following a lengthy replay review.
Billups was fouled on a drive and then intentionally missed the second free throw after making the first to break the tie. Chicago's Joakim Noah grabbed the rebound.
After a timeout, Miller caught the inbounds pass from Kirk Hinrich and, in one motion, buried a jumper from the top of the key. After a review, the officials ruled time had expired, and the Nuggets snapped a two-game losing streak.
Carmelo Anthony scored a season- low 20 points for Denver, while Billups added 17.
Derrick Rose led Chicago with 22 points, while Luol Deng scored 21, and Noah had a career-high 21 rebounds for the Bulls, who had won three straight.
Heat 90, Wizards 76
At Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 41 points as Miami remained in first place in the Southeast Division.
It's the second time Wade scored at least 40 this season, both against Washington.
Michael Beasley scored 15 points and Mario Chalmers added 13, including a 3-pointer that put Miami up by eight with 1:47 remaining. The Heat are 6-1 for the first time in a decade, matching the best seven-game start in franchise history.
Gilbert Arenas finished with 21 points, eight assists and 12 turnovers for the Wizards. Caron Butler scored 19 points for Washington, which got double-doubles from Brendan Haywood (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Andray Blatche (13 points, 10 rebounds).
Magic 93, Bobcats 81
At Charlotte, North Carolina, Dwight Howard had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Vince Carter scored 15 points for Orlando in his return from a sprained ankle.
Two nights after losing by 28 points in Oklahoma City, the Magic built a big lead with the help of Carter, who had missed four of the past five games. Brandon Bass scored 12 of his 14 points in the first quarter for Orlando.
Mavericks 121, Rockets 103
At Dallas, Jason Terry scored 24 points, and Erick Dampier had 14 points and 20 rebounds for Dallas, which overcame an early 17-point deficit to beat Houston.
Dampier recorded the eighth 20-rebound game of his career, Terry was 7 for 8 from the field, and Dirk Nowitzki added 23 points for Dallas, which scored at least 120 for the second straight game.




