Danilo Gallinari Scores 47 vs. Mavericks: Highlights and Twitter Reaction
The Dallas Mavericks might have barely edged out the Denver Nuggets 144-143 in double-overtime Friday night, but most will agree that Danilo Gallinari was the big winner after putting together the best game of his NBA career—47 points on 15-of-23 shooting, nine rebounds and two assists.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Mavs victory was the highest-scoring NBA game since the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled out a 149-140 double-OT win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in March 2012:
Naturally, a game like this is bound to create a funky stat line or two, and nobody's numbers were more odd than Gallinari's. Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post provided Gallinari's shot chart:
The 47 points were a career high for the 26-year-old, per NBA.com. The league posted some of the top highlights from his impressive performance:
After the game, Nuggets interim head coach Melvin Hunt praised Gallinari's work on the court:
Justin Faudree of Roundball Mining Company felt that the teams should've pushed it to a third overtime if only to ensure Gallo got 50:
Gallinari clearly had the hot hand, which led to ESPNDenver.com's Raj Sharan being a bit incensed he didn't get a look as Denver attempted to win the game late:
Instead, Raymond Felton provided the winner for Dallas on a layup with 1.5 seconds left.
CBS Sports' Matt Moore felt the shot perfectly encapsulated the Nuggets' 2014-15 season:
Denver was eliminated from playoff contention long ago, and after the firing of Brian Shaw, the franchise is now stuck in neutral until the offseason.
Nuggets fans haven't had a lot to be excited about recently, so Gallinari's outburst was at least a brief moment of enjoyment for the fanbase. Maybe he'll have something special for an encore when Denver hits the court next against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
