Gallinari hits “shot of the century” for tacos
By Matt Welch
Feb 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) shoots the ball during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Nuggets rallied back last night to overcome the Milwaukee Bucks and pull out a 112-104 victory. The win was their seventh straight. But neither the comeback nor the winning streak was the biggest news from the game. What was? Danilo Gallinari’s circus shot that gave the Nuggets 110 points. Why was that so important for Nugget fans? They got tacos, of course.
The Denver Nuggets had a giveaway going on Tuesday night, as they seldom do. The giveaway was a deal that offered four tacos for $1 if the Nuggets scored 110 points. The last time a Nuggets giveaway was in the news it was when Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook blocked Rocky’s halfcourt shots that cost the fans free queso. This time, the fans won.
Late in the fourth quarter on a three-on-one fastbreak, Gallinari took a pass from forward Corey Brewer and went up for a heavily contested layup. The defense couldn’t stop him as he tossed the ball up with a right-handed swinging hook shot, kissed it high off the glass, and then watched it go in as he hit the floor. After getting up, Gallo had a “yeah, I do that every day” look on his face as teammates and fans celebrated alike. Chris Marlowe, the Nuggets’ play-by-play man, called the shot “the shot of the century”.
The shot also put the proverbial nail in the coffin as the Nuggets snuck past the Bucks in the fourth. Gallo finished with 22 points and 6 rebounds.