DENVER — Chauncey Billups can’t fathom having a game like Nene did Sunday night.

Nene tied a career high with 28 points and sank every one of his dazzling dozen shots in Denver’s 117-97 rout of the Utah Jazz.

“I don’t think I’ll ever go 12-for-12 because I’m going to shoot until I miss,” Billups said.

Nene’s strategy?

“If I make, I keep going,” he said. “If I miss, I just pass the ball.”

Coach George Karl wasn’t even aware of just how special a night his big Brazilian forward was having when he had him take a seat with more than six minutes left and the Nuggets comfortably ahead — not that he would have sent his big man back in for individual glory.

Nene wasn’t worried about his stats or even perfection, for that matter.

“When I play, I don’t care too much. I just try to finish hard and I’m surprised after the game to be 12-for-12, whatever, record. I give all the glory to God,” Nene said after tying the franchise mark for shooting percentage.

Karl was worried going in that Denver’s five-day layoff might result in rust, but J.R. Smith quickly put those concerns to rest.

Smith scored 13 of his 22 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for Denver’s rare rout of Utah, which fell 4½ games behind the first-place Nuggets in the Northwest Division with its third straight loss and second in 24 hours.

Ronnie Brewer led the Jazz with 16 points, and Deron Williams scored 15, but he was hounded by Dahntay Jones, who returned from a separated shoulder that sidelined him for a game.

“There wasn’t much defensive effort,” Williams said. “They had a lot of easy layups, dunks. They got their confidence going and then the second-quarter threes started raining down for them.”

That’s the difference between rest and rust.

Also on Sunday:

Celtics 124

Mavericks 100

BOSTON — Ray Allen scored 20 of his 23 points in the first half when the Celtics opened a 27-point lead, and Eddie House added seven three-pointers to help Boston beat Dallas.

Suns 104

Hawks 99

ATLANTA — Amare Stoudemire scored 23 points, and Shaquille O’Neal had 19 points and 11 rebounds to help Phoenix snap a three-game losing streak.

Raptors 113

Kings 97

TORONTO — Chris Bosh scored 31 points, Andrea Bargnani added 24 and the Toronto beat Sacramento, handing the Kings their fifth straight loss.

Lakers 99

Spurs 85

LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant scored 22 points before sitting out the fourth quarter, Pau Gasol added 16 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Los Angeles routed San Antonio.

Rockets 108

Pistons 105

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Ron Artest scored three of his 24 points at the line in the final 14 seconds, helping Houston hold off Detroit.

Timberwolves 109

Bulls 108

MINNEAPOLIS — Al Jefferson scored a season-high 39 points to lead Minnesota to an overtime victory, the Timberwolves’ ninth win in 11 games.

Pacers 98

Bobcats 93

INDIANAPOLIS — Danny Granger had 27 points to lead Indiana to their season-high fifth straight win at home.

Warriors 107

Clippers 92

OAKLAND, Calif. — Corey Maggette scored 20 points, Anthony Morrow added 17 points and Kelenna Azubuike had 16 points for Golden State, who beat Los Angeles for the fifth straight time.