Excellence is what Denver has exuded with Billups at the point. The Nuggets (12-6) are tied for first place in the Northwest Division and are 11-3 with Billups in the lineup. All 11 victories have come in November, the most wins in that month since 1984-85. This trade seems to be working out.

After scoring a season-high 27 points Saturday, Billups scored 28 on Sunday, complemented by 10 assists, overwhelming one of the better teams in the Western Conference.

And Denver did so without Carmelo Anthony in the second half. A right-elbow contusion, which has lingered for a couple weeks, finally forced Anthony to the locker room with 2:13 left in the first half.

"I was just weak out there," said Anthony, who scored just two points in 13 minutes, ending his NBA-best streak of 222 games with 10-plus points. "I tried to lift my son up after the game, but I couldn't even do that."

Anthony will have treatment today, and, optimistically, said he will play in Tuesday's home game against Toronto.

The Rockets (11-7) were also beleaguered, missing all-star Tracy McGrady (left knee) and Shane Battier (left foot), who combine for 25.6 points per game.

As for Nuggets guard J.R. Smith, his stock-market week ended pretty well, featuring 19 points, including five 3-pointers. Coach George Karl didn't play Smith at the Clippers on Wednesday because Smith came late to a previous practice. But Thursday, Smith scored 32 points at home against the Hornets. Saturday at Minnesota, Smith played just seven minutes, logging two fouls, a turnover and nary a point.

Asked before Sunday's game why Smith didn't play much, Karl said, "I'll let you interpret that."

After Sunday's home win, Smith said: "I don't know. Maybe I'm in the doghouse on the road games."

Smith talked about the heated emotions of a game and how Karl was frustrated by the way he acted after being sent to the bench.

"You've got to take care of what you're doing wrong, what the team's doing wrong, and what the coach wants you to do," said Smith, who annually has run-ins with Karl. "It's tough. ? Hopefully, we'll kiss and make up soon."

Said Karl: "J.R. is a good-bad player. I'm trying to take the bad out of his game. Consistency and attitude will keep him on the court."

In Sunday's win, the Nuggets' low post did a good job rotating on all-star center Yao Ming, who finished with 18 points but never took over the game.

"I think we frustrated him a little," Nuggets center Nene said.

After the game, Martin was asked about his early-season success. His bark was back.

"I'm not worried about numbers, I'm not worried about the All-Star Game, I'm worried about getting a championship," he said. "That's what I'm playing for. And I think we have the pieces in place to do that. Now we're just building on what we've done. It's been a great November. Now it's time to get ready for December."

Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com

----------------------------------------

Nuggets 104, Rockets 94

....FG....FT....Reb

HOUSTONMin....M-A....M-A....O-T....A....F....Pt Artest37:28....5-18....0-0....2-5....3....2....13

Scola24:35....3-5....1-2....0-5....1....2....7

Yao31:12....5-12....8-9....3-11....0....3....18

Alston35:50....3-10....7-8....1-3....6....1....16

Head27:34....1-7....0-0....0-4....4....1....3

Hayes16:48....1-3....0-0....2-3....1....3....2

Wafer19:23....3-6....0-0....1-1....1....1....6

Landry23:09....5-7....4-4....1-3....2....2....14

Brooks24:00....5-8....2-3....0-3....4....2....15

Totals239:59....31-76....22-26....10-38....22....17....94

Percentages: FG .408, FT .846. 3-point goals: 10-20, .500 (Alston 3-5, Brooks 3-5, Artest 3-6, Head 1-3, Wafer 0-1). Team rebounds: 10. Team turnovers: 18 (22 points). Blocked shots: 6 (Yao 3, Alston, Hayes, Head). Turnovers: 15 (Artest 3, Yao 3, Alston 2, Scola 2, Wafer 2, Brooks, Hayes, Head). Steals: 9 (Alston 3, Artest 2, Hayes 2, Head, Landry). Technical fouls: Brooks, 9:08 second; Defensive three second, 2:41 third.

....FG....FT....Reb

DENVERMin....M-A....M-A....O-T....A....F....Pt Anthony13:44....1-4....0-0....0-3....3....2....2

Martin33:38....7-12....0-0....0-4....3....3....15

Nene35:19....7-13....3-3....5-10....1....5....17

Billups40:23....9-18....6-7....0-4....10....2....28

Jones23:46....2-4....4-4....1-2....1....3....8

Smith29:46....6-14....2-2....0-5....4....2....19

Andrsn21:38....1-4....2-4....2-6....0....1....4

Kleiza16:23....3-5....1-2....2-3....2....0....8

Carter25:07....1-3....1-2....1-5....4....3....3

Balkman0:16....0-0....0-0....0-0....0....0....0

Totals240:00....37-77....19-24....11-42....28....21....104

Percentages: FG .481, FT .792. 3-point goals: 11-23, .478 (Smith 5-9, Billups 4-9, Kleiza 1-1, Martin 1-2, Anthony 0-1, Carter 0-1). Team rebounds: 4. Team turnovers: 14 (8 points). Blocked shots: 14 (Andersen 5, Martin 4, Jones 2, Anthony, Balkman, Carter). Turnovers: 14 (Billups 3, Andersen 2, Anthony 2, Carter 2, Martin 2, Smith 2, Kleiza). Steals: 6 (Andersen 2, Billups 2, Nene, Jones). Technical fouls: Nene, 2:09 fourth.

Houston21....23....24....26....-....94

Denver21....27....30....26....-....104

A - 17,201 (19,155). T - 2:10. Officials - Tony Brown, Tony Brothers, Eddie F. Rush.

----------------------------------------

NuggetsRecap

What you might have missed

With 2:09 left in the fourth and Denver leading by nine, center Nene was called for a technical foul. ? In the lineup for his defense, guard Dahntay Jones scored eight points for the second straight night. ? The Nuggets blocked 14 shots, including a season-high five by reserve Chris Andersen in 22 minutes. That tied Andersen's career high from April 6, 2005, when he had five against Denver while playing for the Hornets.

Final thought

This was arguably the Nuggets' best home win this season, defeating a talented team with a sturdy low-post presence.

Up next

vs. Toronto, 7 p.m.

Tuesday.

Benjamin Hochman,

The Denver Post