DENVER – Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups walked off the court Wednesday night looking about as excited as a guy who'd just won 50 bucks on bingo night.

A series-clinching victory over the Mavericks was nice, but not really a cause for wild celebration.

"This is not over," Billups said shortly after closing out the Mavs. "We're still on a roll. We don't have time to celebrate."

Billups, the floor leader that has been missing in Denver's previous playoff flameouts, was in his comfort zone as the Nuggets eliminated the Mavs in Game 5 of their second-round series.

He flirted with a triple-double in the first half before finishing with 28 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds.

"It was one of my better games statistically, but I don't really play for that," Billups said. "I try to get wins, and if I have to do that some nights, I'm willing to."

When Billups returned to play for his hometown team six months ago, he chose to wear No. 7 in honor of Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.

It was Elway who brought Denver its first two Super Bowl titles in 1997 and 1998. More than a decade later, Billups has the Nuggets halfway to an NBA championship.

While the Western Conference finals are rarefied territory for the Nuggets, deep postseason runs are part of an annual ritual for Billups. He advanced to the conference finals in each of his six seasons with the Detroit Pistons.

Billups' streak moved to seven after the Nuggets advanced to the West finals for the third time in franchise history and the first time since 1985.

"I couldn't write a better script, coming home and leading a team I grew up cheering for and rooting for," he said.

Billups, who was traded to Denver on Nov. 3, was at his best in the final three games against the Mavericks.

He scored 32 points in Game 3 and 24 points in Game 4, and he capped the series with several key plays that helped keep the Mavs at bay late in Game 5.

Billups' steady, selfless play has been a contrast to the helter-skelter style of Allen Iverson, who never fit as well playing alongside Carmelo Anthony for nearly two years.

Nuggets coach George Karl called Billups a "gift to basketball" because of his leadership and ability to stay cool when things get chaotic.

Other than a couple of offensive fouls in Game 5, Billups never forced the issue and tailored his play to the situation. His night ended with a standing ovation from a city hungry for the next chapter.

"I come to win," Billups said. "I try to help my teammates win, and I've been lucky enough to be part of some great teams, getting to the conference finals seven times in a row."

Aaron Lopez is a freelance writer in Denver.