Danilo Gallinari and Italy fell to Spain Friday in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
The Thunder forward scored a team-high 15 points, but it was not enough in a closely contested 67-60 loss. After winning their first two games over the Philippines and Angola, the Italians have lost back-to-back games, dropping them to 2-2 in group play and ending their bid for a spot in the quarter finals.
This one was tied 18-18 at the end of the first quarter, with Italy holding a one-point lead, 31-30, at the half. Gallinari scored 10 points, through the first two quarters.
He hit a three off a screen with 4:20 remaining in the game (video review confirmed that his foot was behind the line) to give Italy a two-possession lead at 56-52, but Spain outscored the Italians down the stretch, 15-4.
Gallinari logged the most game minutes of any player on the floor, clocking in at 35:06. He went 5-for-9 from the floor, 2-of-5 from three and 3-of-5 from the free throw line. Gallinari also grabbed five rebounds, all on the defensive glass, dished out two assists and had a pair of steals.
