Danilo Gallinari erupts in third quarter as Denver Nuggets fly by New Orleans Pelicans

THE RUNDOWN

The Denver Nuggets played unselfish and team first basketball in  tonight’s 115-98 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. In total, six Nuggets posted double-digit scoring totals. Leading the way for Denver was Danilo Gallinari who scored a season high 32 points on 12-19 shooting, including 5-8 from beyond-the-arc, to go along with 8 assists and 8 rebounds. Also joining the scoring explosion was Will Barton with 17, Jameer Nelson with 16, Gary Harris also with 16 (tying his career-high), Emmanuel Mudiay with 12 and Kenneth Faried with 11. With the victory Denver improves to 6-5 on the season and moves into a tie for first place in the Northwest Division with Oklahoma City, while New Orleans drops to 1-10.

Anthony Davis left the game just six minutes into the first quarter after he re-injured his left shoulder, which previously forced the all-star to sit out two games last week.  He finished the night 0-3 from the field with 2 rebounds. Denver would go on to take advantage of a depleted New Orleans lineup as head coach Michael Malone employed small ball lineups for much of the game which knocked down outside shots with great success. In fact the Nuggets shot 15-30 from three point range in the game.

Denver trailed 53-51 at halftime, after ending the first quarter with a 10 point lead. They came out guns blazing in the third quarter led by Gallo who scored 15 of his 32 points in the frame. A complete team effort was put into action once the fourth quarter began as the Nuggets finally put the Pelicans away for good thanks in large part to hot shooting from Nelson and Barton, who put an exclamation point on the victory with a thunderous slam late in the game.

WHERE/WHEN

Smoothie King Center – New Orleans, LA | Nov. 17th, 2015

STARS OF THE GAME

1.) Danilo Gallinari played his best game of the year tonight. Coming out of the locker room after halftime the Nuggets needed to respond after losing in embarrassing fashion to the Suns on Saturday and playing lackluster in the second quarter against the Pelicans. Gallo put the Nuggets on his back in the third quarter and ignited them to a victory tonight. Without question, he is feeling better than he has since the knee injury which is made clear by the confidence he has in his body to matchup one-on-one on the block or on the perimeter. If the Nuggets are going to push for a playoff spot this season they will need more of these performances from Gallo, and they will also need more of the leadership that he showed tonight in NOLA.

2.) Jameer Nelson hit big shot after big shot tonight, especially late in the fourth quarter where he knocked down shots on consecutive trips down the floor to help put the game out of reach. He scored a season high 16 points alongside 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. It was an inspired performance for the veteran from Saint Joesph’s University. Like Gallo in the third quarter, Nelson put the team on his back in the fourth.

3.) Will Barton did what Will Barton does best tonight. In thirty-seven minutes of playing time, Barton shot 7-12 from the field to score 17 points while pulling down 7 rebounds next to 2 assists and 1 steal. It was another complete game for him tonight. Night after night, Will continues to impress with his high level of energy off the bench which often translates into many positive things happening for the Nuggets.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Mudiay to Gallinari. It was a thing of beauty.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME

It seemed like the Nuggets came out very inspired after halftime. Coach Malone must have lit a fire under them because it was a night and day difference across the board from the second quarter to the third quarter. Whatever happened in that locker room the Nuggets came out and took over the game in the second half. Credit to Malone and the coaching staff for making necessary adjustments and motivating the team.

FINAL SHOTS

Harris tied his career high of 16 points tonight. He shot 3-4 from downtown in the game.

Former Nugget Alonzo Gee went scoreless against his old team as he finished 0-1 from the floor with 6 rebounds.

The Manimal played well tonight after being listed as day to day with back spasms. Faried showed great energy and hustle, primarily in the first half, on both ends of the floor.

WHAT’S NEXT

Denver will take on the Spurs tomorrow night at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Tipoff is set for 6:30 pm MST. San Antonio enters the game at 8-2 and leading the Southwest Division.