Iverson, Billups debut for new teams Parker hurt

Source: Agencies  |   2008-11-9  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets finally got a look at the guards they added.

The San Antonio Spurs have to wonder how much more they can lose.

Already without their top scorer from last season, the Spurs lost the player who was leading the league this season when Tony Parker sprained his left ankle in the first quarter of a 83-99 loss to the Miami Heat on Friday night.

On the night Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups got back on the floor, Parker sustained an injury that will keep him off it for a while. He's expected to miss at least two weeks, joining Manu Ginobili, rehabbing his own ankle injury, on the sidelines.

"I don't know what it is," the Spurs' Tim Duncan said. "I don't know what to say."

The Nuggets felt much better after Billups helped them beat the Dallas Mavericks 108-105. He shot only 5-of-17 for his 15 points, but that was good enough for Denver.

"I'm sure he'll have many special nights for us," coach George Karl said. "I think it's fun to have an ally in Chauncey."

Billups also had three assists and three steals, including two down the stretch, while Carmelo Anthony added 28 points for Denver.

Iverson scored 24 points in New Jersey, but Devin Harris had a career-high 38 to rally the Nets to a 103-96 victory over the previously unbeaten Pistons.

"We had the game and we let it get away in the second half," Iverson said. "Overall, it was a great experience for me. I felt fine out there, and we only can get better."

In other National Basketball Association games, it was: Knicks 114, Wizards 108 Bobcats 92, Hornets 89 Hawks 110, Raptors 92 Celtics 101, Bucks 89 Cavaliers 111, Pacers 107 Bulls 100, Suns 83 Jazz 104, Thunder 97 Kings 121, Timberwolves 109 Grizzlies 109, Warriors 104 and Rockets 92, Clippers 83.

At East Rutherford, New Jersey, Vince Carter had 18 points and Josh Boone added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Nets (2-2).