Jazz players agree: Billups makes Nuggets better News Denver Nuggets

When the Denver Nuggets traded all-world scorer Allen Iverson to Detroit for All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups early in the season, the Utah Jazz players and coaches all felt their Northwest Division rivals got the better of the deal. Many NBA observers at the time disagreed, however, feeling Iverson would be the boost the Pistons needed to compete with the Celtics and others in the Eastern Conference. Now, three-quarters of the way through the season, it seems clear that the Nuggets were the trade's big winner. Denver, while in a little slump of late, has led the division all season long, with Billups a steadying influence.

The Pistons ? a team that has been to the Eastern Conference finals, at least, for six straight seasons ? are now barely a .500 team. "It's a different (Denver) team with Chauncey out there," said Jazz point guard Deron Williams before practice on Thursday in preparation for tonight's game against the Nuggets at EnergySolutions Arena. "Allen Iverson is more of a scorer. Chauncey is a guy who scores, but he also distributes and knows how to run a team very well. That's something that they needed. Carmelo Anthony has benefited from it. Nene has benefited from it. Kenyon Martin and all those guys have benefited from (Billups) being there and getting them the ball." Added Carlos Boozer, "(Billups) is a very poised player. He's very confident, a great quarterback and a winner. ... They still play up-tempo, but now they are more in control with Chauncey at the helm. He makes sure the ball goes where it needs to go." Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is also a fan of the way Billups directs a team. "(Billups) gives them direction," said Sloan. "They seem to be running a few more plays and be in more control because of his ability and the way he's always played. He's been a very effective player throughout his career." WANTING TO SCORE LESS: In a league where the top scorers are usually rewarded with the biggest contracts, many NBA players worry about the number of "touches" or shots they get per game. Utah's point guard, meanwhile, likes that he won't be required to score so much anymore. "Having everybody being back and everybody being healthy means I need to try to get everybody involved and I don't have to worry about scoring so much," said Williams. Williams still leads the Jazz in scoring with an 18.7 average for the season, but he says he's glad he won't be scoring as much now that Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko have returned from injuries. "I love that. I don't want to score 30," said Williams. "But it was fun while it lasted." MISC: Utah's win over Houston on Thursday improved its home record to a glossy 19-1 against fellow Western Conference opponents. Interestingly, the Jazz are just 8-5 at home against Eastern Conference foes. ... Less than three games separate the third- through the eighth-place teams in the West right now, with ninth-place Phoenix not far behind. ... Seven of Utah's wins in their current nine-game streak have come at home, with the only two road victories being at Minnesota and Golden State. The Jazz will be more severely tested following tonight's game when they head out on an eight-day, five-game Eastern trip that starts with a game on Sunday morning in Toronto and ends March 15 in Orlando. E-mail: lojo@desnews.com