USA – Gallinari finally playing for the Knicks
NEW YORK (NBA) - Danilo Gallinari of Italy is showing signs that he was worthy of being the sixth pick in last summer's NBA draft. Gallinari has appeared in two games for New York after missing three months with an ailing back. He had nine points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in more than 16 minutes on the floor to help ...
NEW YORK (NBA) - Danilo Gallinari of Italy is showing signs that he was worthy of being the sixth pick in last summer's NBA draft.
Gallinari has appeared in two games for New York after missing three months with an ailing back.
He had nine points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in more than 16 minutes on the floor to help the Knicks (16-24) defeat the Chicago Bulls 102-98 on Monday.
The 20-year-old Gallinari hadn’t appeared in a game since an October 31 loss to Philadelphia.
"You gain confidence by playing,” Gallinari said. “The more minutes you have, the more feeling you get on the court and with your teammates.
"I need to be aggressive and that helps to win games.”
Whenever Gallinari checks into the game, there is a huge buzz in the Madison Square Garden crowd and the fans are showing a lot of support for the youngster.
However, Gallinari has given a thumbs-down to the music the Knicks play whenever he scores a basket.
The team’s long-time public address announcer, Mike Walczewski, tried to use a thick Italian accent on Monday and said over the tannoy "Daneeelo Gal-lin-ar-ay" before Italian songs "Volare" or "That's Amore" were played.
"I need to talk a little bit with them about that,” Gallinari said, “because it's not so good, the pronunciation. I will talk about that.
“As for the music, no, not so good."
Chicago fell to 18-24 with the loss.
Kobe Bryant has a dislocated finger but played anyway for the Los Angeles Lakers in their 105-88 triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bryant went up against his fellow Team USA star LeBron James of the Cavs and scored 20 points while also handing out 12 assists and grabbing six rebounds.
Pau Gasol of Spain led the Lakers (32-8) with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while James struggled from the floor, hitting nine of 25 shots on his way to scoring 23.
James also pulled down nine rebounds for Cleveland (31-8).
Other NBA results: Dallas 95 Philadelphia 93, Denver 113 Houston 115, San Antonio 86 Charlotte 84, Toronto 84 Atlanta 87, Minnesota 94 LA Clippers 86, Indiana 100 New Orleans 103, Washington 98 Golden State 119, Detroit 87 Memphis 79, Phoenix 87 Boston 104, Milwaukee 85 Portland 102, Cleveland 88 LA Lakers 105.
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