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Nuggets' Gallinari scores 40 in win over Magic

Mar 23, 2015 - 2:08 AM Orlando, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Danilo Gallinari lit up the Orlando Magic for 40 points as the Denver Nuggets cruised to a 119-110 win on Sunday.

Gallinari's career-best effort came on 12-of-21 shooting. He also made 10- of-11 free throws, connected on six 3-pointers and grabbed seven rebounds.

"It was one of those nights when the basket looks like a swimming pool," Gallinari said. "It was pretty big out there."

Jameer Nelson chipped in with 15 points and five assists in just 16 1/2 minutes against his former team, while Kenneth Faried, Jusuf Nurkic, Will Barton and J.J. Hickson all scored 11 points in the rout.

Denver bookended its five-game road trip with victories and has won five straight meetings against the Magic, who were coming off a home win over the Trail Blazers on Friday.

Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic paced the Magic with 21 and 20 points, respectively.

"This is a learning experience," Oladipo said. "We just have to continue getting better."

Gallinari's 13 first-quarter points staked the Nuggets to a 28-25 lead, and Denver's bench provided a slew of production in the second period, scoring 31 of the team's 41 points.

The Magic shot 60 percent (9-of-15) in the second but turned it over eight times and allowed eight second-chance points. They were staring at a 26-point deficit following a 25-6 Nuggets run.

Denver led 69-51 at halftime and kept its foot on the gas after the break. Gallinari and Faried outscored the Magic by themselves 24-21, in the third period, which ended with the visitors leading by a comfortable 102-72 margin.

Game Notes

Gallinari's previous career high was 39 points against the Mavericks on Dec. 28, 2012 ... Magic forward Tobias Harris (ankle) missed his third straight game ... Magic rookie Elfrid Payton, who was coming off two straight triple- doubles, totaled six points, eight rebounds and eight assists ... Orlando turned it over 19 times.