Billups sets tone as Nuggets beat Celtics

BOSTON — Since his trade to the Denver Nuggets, Chauncey Billups has done something customary for him: Win.

The Nuggets are 4-1 since Billups’ arrived after a Nov. 3 trade with the Pistons. And Friday night, the Nuggets added a statement game to their resume, beating the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics, 94-85.

“It’s a huge win,” said Billups, who had 18 points and seven assists. “These are the kind of games where you learn a lot about your teammates, how mentally tough and strong they are.”

Billups was NBA Finals MVP in 2004 when Detroit won the title. In his six years with the team, they played for two championships and reached the East finals the other four years.

On Friday, Denver broke out of an 84-84 tie with an 8-0 run on Kenyon Martin’s basket in traffic, Billups’ three-point play and Carmelo Anthony’s three-pointer.