OKC Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari’s Team Italy crushes Phillipines in FIBA World Cup action
The FIBA World Cup tipped off the tournament with 32 teams in action including OKC Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari and his Italian squad.
While OKC Thunder fans have yet to witness Danilo Gallinari playing at Chesapeake Energy Arena they got early insights into the power forward’s natural talents at FIBA 2019. Gallo’s team came out of the gates hot winning their first game 108-62 versus the Philippines club.
After undergoing an appendectomy there was uncertainty whether Gallinari would be fully recovered in time to compete but he put those questions to rest immediately. In this first game of Italy’s D Group, the Italians looked poised to be one of the players to factor as 2019 FIBA title contenders.
That said, it was important not to assume a big win over a lower tier team meant an automatic berth for the stronger Italian team.
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In this outing, Danilo scored 16 points and added three rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Where the forward truly showed his prowess was his deep range shooting where he nailed four of his five attempts from the 3-point line. Additionally, Gallo topped all his teammates with a plus 38. Imagine getting that type of efficiency for the Thunder this season!
As for his fellow teammates, Luigi Datome and Amedeo Della Valle led the way in scoring with 17 points apiece. Fellow NBA talent Marco Belinelli of the San Antonio Spurs contributed nine points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals to the equation.
Head Coach Meo Sacchetti had his club focused and ready as they pounced on his counterpart Joseller Guiao Philippine team immediately taking a 37-18 point lead. The second quarter was more of the same with Italy outscoring the Philippines 25-16 and taking a 62-34 lead into the half.
Back in action after for quarter three it was more of the same as Italy outscored their rivals 23-15 and while they played to a 23 point equal scoring fourth quarter the damage was already done.
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Game two for the Italians will find them playing Group D opponent Angola on September 2nd.