DENVER (AP) -- Chauncey Billups scored 18 points and the short-handed Denver Nuggets snapped a season-high, three-game losing streak by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 95-77 on Tuesday night.

J.R. Smith and Nene added 17 points apiece for the Nuggets, who were without forward Carmelo Anthony for a fourth consecutive game following the death of his sister. The Nuggets, who next play at Minnesota on Wednesday, said in a statement that Anthony is expected to rejoin the team on Thursday.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who lost their fifth straight at the Pepsi Center while being held to a season low in scoring by a Denver opponent. The previous low also was by Portland in an 86-83 victory over the Nuggets at the Rose Garden on Nov. 18.

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