AP News
(2010-03-24 02:17:26)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Danilo Gallinari scored 24 of his team-high 28 points in the second half to help the New York Knicks hold off the Denver Nuggets for a 109-104 triumph on Tuesday.
The Knicks overcame 36 points from Carmelo Anthony and a late comeback by the Nuggets who trailed by nine late in the fourth quarter but pulled within one after a second straight J.R. Smith three-pointer with 1:21 to go.
Toney Douglas made a jump shot to restore a 107-104 edge for New York and Gallinari clinched the game with two free throws, which made a strong impression on his opponent.
"(Gallinari) has gotten a lot better since when he first came in (the league)," Anthony told reporters. "I think he's coming along big time."
Al Harrington added 23 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks (26-45), who have won four of their last six.
Denver (47-24) had 25 points from Chauncey Billups but lost their second straight to fall further behind the Western Conference leaders the Los Angeles Lakers.
In a tight race, the Nuggets are tied with the Dallas Mavericks for second spot in the West and only lead their Northwest Division by one game over the Utah Jazz.
Anthony had his second big scoring output against the Knicks after dropping a career-high 50 against them back on Nov 27.
In this one, however, he had missed a seven-footer that could have given his team the lead with 42 seconds remaining.
Gallinari upstaged Anthony with 17 points in the third quarter where New York outscored the visitors 34-21 to surge ahead.
The Italian forward made four three-pointers during the quarter where Anthony scored 12 as the two engaged in a competitive exchange of words.
"Talking is a great part of basketball, Gallinari said, of his back-and-forth with Anthony. "If you don't talk, you cannot play basketball.
"We played a great game and we won. (After the game) he just said 'great job, keep playing hard. Keep ballin.' "
(Reporting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles, editing by Patrick Johnston)
