Danilo Gallinari scores 23 as Denver Nuggets beat New Orleans Hornets 96-88: NBA Recap
Denver Nuggets may not have any stars in their team but they are a strong all round unit. Under the legendary George Karl as the head coach, they have jumped off to an outstanding record in the compressed season so far and just
hours ago; they augmented it further by downing New Orleans Hornets 96-88.
The reason for their success so far has been their team work and the rock solid defence, and in this very game, the Nuggets used the same combination to overpower the opponents.
They were rusty at the start, struggling throughout the first half and even the first 9 minutes of the third frame. Hornets were ahead 61-52 and were set to end the third frame on a high, however what they did not know was that
for Nuggets, the real game had just started.
Nuggets strengthened their defence and attacked full throttle for a 10-2 burst to finish the third frame at 62-63. They pushed their momentum into the deciding frame and rattled a game changing 11-0 run in the starting minutes
to get in a commanding position.
After that, they never looked back.
Hornets, stunned by the late onslaught by the Nuggets succumbed to the pressure and failed to score from easy positions even. The double digit deficit proved too much for them and despite a flurry of points in the last minute,
they still fell short by 8 points.
Danilo Gallinari was the most outstanding player of the night and led the Nuggets with 23 points and 6 assists.
"We were disappointed and coach Karl was disappointed and so after the first half he came into the locker room and he said that we were playing bad defense and bad offense. He said we just had to wake up. So that's what we did.
Just that simple." He said after the game.
Other players also played their role. Al Harrington drained 14 points while Andre Miller and Arron Afflalo both pounded 13 each.
Greivis Vasquez marshalled the Hornets with 16 points on 6 for 11 from the floor while Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry had 15 apiece. Marco Belinelli (13) was the only other player in double figures for the Hornets.
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