Warriors return to balance against Magic

Facing the clumsy Warriors from long range (1/10 in the first quarter), Desmond Bain (20 points) and Paolo Banchero (21 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists) quickly gave Orlando the advantage (14-7). Golden State, however, recovered by attacking the rim. Jimmy Butler continues to be aggressive to allow his team to stay in the ambush (30-26).

The warriors then raise their voices. Their defense provokes several Magic turnovers, and two winning shots in quick succession by Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody (20 points) bring the advantage (41-39). The two teams go back and forth until the end of the half, but the Butler – Curry – Green triple allows Golden State to stay in the lead (58-57).

Stephen Curry breaks the lock

However, the guilt-happy Golden State is growing after returning from the locker room. Two turnovers in quick succession by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green let Anthony Black (19 points) put the Magic at +5 (71-66). After a Steve Kerr timeout, Stephen Curry takes over. He scores 11 of the next 14 points and puts the Warriors back in front (80-75)!

“The Boss” continues his momentum. He sends Gary Payton II into the alley, before finding Moses Moody alone in the corner three. Brandin Podziemski adds 2+1, and Golden State adds 19-2 to the Magic in the third and fourth quarters to take a 16-length lead (99-83).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– The Butler – Curry pairing provided excellent copy. The Warriors gave us two very different faces last night. In the first half, we were treated to a festival from Jimmy Butler, who scored 16 of his 21 points to make up for the awkwardness of his long-range teammates, including Stephen Curry. In the second half, a Curry turnover put him in the game. He set his sights and the entire Golden State began to shine after him. He scored 18 of his 26 points in the second half to help his team make the difference late in the third quarter and early in the fourth. To go back to 50% wins.

– The streak continues for the Magic. Already without Jalen Suggs, Franz and Mo Wagner and Tristan da Silva, the Magic lost Goga Bitadze early in the fourth quarter. The Georgia center sprained his ankle while trying to defend Stephen Curry. Orlando offered no resistance near the circle last night and continues the next night in Portland against the Blazers who enjoy the paint.

– Noah Penda continues to gain momentum. The young French played the third game with more than 11 minutes of play. If his statistical line remained modest (5 points, 4 rebounds), he continued to play fair and showed Jamal Mosley that he can trust him. Noah Penda will have a chance to continue his momentum the following night. The Magic are really playing back-to-back against the Blazers.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.