(My Sportsbook) - The Northwest Division-leading Denver Nuggets resume a season-long, seven-game homestand Thursday when they welcome the Phoenix Suns to the Rocky Mountains.

The Nuggets won for the fourth time in five tries on the residency Tuesday when Chauncey Billups had 23 points -- including two free throws with 2.2 seconds left -- to lift Denver past the Dallas Mavericks, 99-97, at the Pepsi Center.

Nene added 20 points for the Nuggets, who improved to 15-5 as the host on the season. Dahntay Jones had 16 points, while Chris Anderson posted 15 points and 10 rebounds -- including a half-court three at the end of the third quarter.

Anthony Carter provided 13 points for Denver.

On the injury front, the Nuggets continue to play without All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, who is on the shelf for at least two more weeks with a broken bone in his right hand.

Denver will finish the homestand with a bout against Orlando on January 17.

The Suns, meanwhile, won their third straight contest on Tuesday when Shaquille O'Neal scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Phoenix in a 107-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at US Airways Center.

Steve Nash tallied 23 points and six assists for the streaking Suns, who have won six of seven overall. Leandro Barbosa totaled 22 points and Amare Stoudemire 17 in the win.

Denver has lost two of its past three games with the Suns, including a 108-101 setback in Phoenix on December 20. The Nuggets have won three straight over the Suns, who are 10-6 on the road this season, at the Pepsi Center, however.