Billups’ free throw lifts Nuggets past Bulls

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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CHICAGO — Chauncey Billups hit the go-ahead free throw with six-tenths of a second left and the Denver Nuggets beat the Chicago Bulls 90-89 on Tuesday night after a potential winning jumper by Brad Miller was overturned following a replay review.

Billups was fouled by Kirk Hinrich on a drive and then intentionally missed the second free throw after making the first to break the tie. Joakim Noah grabbed the rebound, and the Bulls nearly pulled it off.

After a timeout, Miller caught the inbounds pass from Hinrich and, in one motion, buried a jumper from the top of the key. The crowd went wild. So did the Bulls, but it didn’t last.

REX ARBOGAST/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Chicago Bulls center Brad Miller launches a shot at the end of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets. After a lengthy review, the officials ruled time had expired, and the Nuggets walked away with a 90-89 win.

After a lengthy review, the officials ruled time had expired, and the Nuggets snapped a two-game losing streak.

@BR Body bold Lede colon:Blazers 93, Grizzlies 79: Brandon Roy scored 20 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 16 points and 12 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers won their third straight.Casey Blake and Greg Oden had 14 points each for Portland, all of Oden’s coming in the second half.

Marc Gasol led Memphis with 20 points, while O.J. Mayo scored 17.

The Grizzlies, who dropped their sixth straight, still were without guard Allen Iverson, who left the team last weekend, with owner Michael Heisley’s blessing, after playing three games on the West Coast.

Heat 90, Wizards 76 : Dwyane Wade scored 41 points and the Miami Heat remained in first place in the Southeast Division by holding off the Washington Wizards.

It’s the second time Wade has topped 40 this season, both against Washington: He scored 40 last Wednesday in the nation’s capital.

Michael Beasley scored 15 points and Mario Chalmers added 13, including a 3-pointer that put Miami up by eight with 1:47 remaining.

Magic 93, Bobcats 81: Dwight Howard had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Vince Carter scored 15 in his return from a sprained ankle, and the Orlando Magic bounced back from an ugly loss to beat the Charlotte Bobcats.

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. Raymond Felton had 18 points and Boris Diaw added 14 for Charlotte.

Mavericks 121, Rockets 103: Jason Terry scored 24 points, Erick Dampier had 14 points and 20 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks overcame an early 17-point deficit to beat the Houston Rockets.

The Mavericks went on a 22-3 run that started late in the first half and helped them bounce back after a sluggish start.

Dampier recorded the eighth 20-rebound game of his career, Terry was 7 for 8 from the field, and Dirk Nowitzki added 23 for Dallas, which scored at least 120 for the second straight game.