The homecoming king walked slowly toward the free-throw line, the chants filling the Pepsi Center with each step: “Chaun-cey! Chaun-cey!”
Then, with 17.5 seconds left, the Nuggets’ Chauncey Billups abruptly pulled the needle on the spinning record, missing the first free throw.
But he hit the second, giving Denver a 104-102 lead, and the Nuggets held on in the waning seconds, a breathtaking finish on a memorable night.
The Nuggets defeated Dallas 108-105 in Denver’s first game this season with Chauncey Billups, four days after the Nuggets dealt Allen Iverson to Detroit for Billups, Antonio McDy-ess and Cheikh Samb.
“It felt great — I was just glad to get that first one out of the way,” Billups said. Then he was asked about playing with new teammate Carmelo Anthony, who scored 28 points on the night.
“I love it,” Billups said. “I love it.”
Billups scored his first basket for Denver this season with 9:18 left in the first quarter, a 26-foot 3-pointer. His first assist, fittingly, was to Anthony, the player Denver hopes will connect early and often with the new point guard.
For the night, Billups finished with 15 points and just three assists.
“I’m sure he’ll have many special nights for us,” said Denver coach George Karl, whose team is 2-3. “Tonight, he didn’t have a special offensive night, but defensively he made some big plays.”
Before tipoff on Friday, the Nuggets completed its final move on Monday’s trade. The Nuggets’ brass reached an agreement with McDyess to buy out his contract, said McDyess’ agent, Andy Miller. The buyout, which will be paid over the course of two years, was for $6 million, a source said. The move will get the Nuggets within $1 million of the $71.15 million luxury-tax line; when the summer began, Denver’s payroll was around $88 million.
McDyess is now a free agent, and Miller said 19 teams have inquired about the player’s status. It’s possible the veteran forward could return to the Pistons.
Friday was Denver’s second home game, but the vibe felt like it was the home opener all over again. Really, it was like a homecoming game, and before the game, the homecoming king addressed the crowd: “I just want to thank everyone for such a warm welcome home,” Billups said. “I’m fully committed to trying to lead this team to a championship caliber.”
They had glimpses of just that on Friday.
Nuggets center Nene, who has averaged a hearty 15 points and 8.8 rebounds in this young season, again had a voracious night, finishing with 19 points and seven rebounds. He also made a huge steal, right after the Billups free throw, giving Denver possession with a late lead.
And Anthony — not only did he notch 28 points, but he had eight rebounds, six assists and made all 14 free throws.
For Dallas, all-star Dirk Nowitzki led his team with 23 points and reserve Gerald Green, who averages 7.0 points per game, finished with 13. And all 13 came in a fourth-quarter splurge, which, at one point, had the Mavericks’ Spanish-speaking radio broadcaster exclaim: “Que pasa, Gerald Green?”
The start to the season has been “unique,” according to coach George Karl.
The guy’s got a point. The Nuggets played their first two games without all-star Carmelo Anthony, suspended because of his April DUI. In the third game, Allen Iverson and Anthony scored just 13 points each. It was Iverson’s last appearance in powder blue.
Then, in Denver’s most recent game prior to Friday, the Nuggets were without Billups because he hadn’t yet passed his physical.
Then came Friday night’s homecoming game.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
