Orlando Magic keep fighting, but can’t stand in history’s way

The Golden State Warriors were on their way to a history-setting evening. The Orlando Magic were ready to fight for every inch of it. And nearly ruined it.

The Orlando Magic were determined all night. This was the opposite of their effort Friday night against the Phoenix Suns. Shots would not fall, and the Magic would continue to fight. The Golden State Warriors would make a flurry, and the Magic would continue to fight.

This was the team Orlando had to be at all times. The one that kept pushing and prodding, fighting and clawing its way for every opportunity.

This is the team that has often been missing.

That final buzzer sounded with a dagger for the Magic. As Orlando trailed by two points, cutting a 19-point second-half lead all the way down as Golden State sought to set the NBA record for most consecutive home wins in team history, the team had the opportunity when luck — or fate — intervened.

Golden State, generally sloppy throughout the game in committing 24 turnovers, had the right bounce for it. Stephen Curry cut back door and allowed him to dish to Draymond Green. C.J. Watson made an alert play chasing Curry through the lane and switching to cover Green to knock the ball out of his hands.

Orlando could not come up with it and it dribbled to Kay Thompson in the corner. His 3-pointer was true, as it always seems to be, and the Magic fell behind by five points.

Fight is not enough as Golden State set its record and won 119-113 at Oracle Arena on Monday night. The Magic never quit and played with good energy throughout the game, but the Warriors proved to be too much.

Aaron Gordon (ORL) — 20 pts., 16 rebs.; Brandon Jennings (ORL) — 20 pts.
Stephen Curry (GSW) — 41 pts., 13 rebs.; Klay Thompson (GSW) — 27 pts.

Stephen Curry made his usual ridiculous 3-point plays, making his 300th of the season with Ersan Ilyasova draped all over him. That is what he does and there is often little anyone can do about it. He scored 41 points, bringing his total for the two games against the Magic to 92 points.

Those are the plays you have to do your best to contest and live with. And Curry had plenty of those. But like the first meeting, he cut through the defense well and got plenty of looks in the paint. The Magic defense played with good energy, but not much precision.

It was really Golden State’s poor offense that gave Orlando a chance. The Warriors turned the ball over 24 times, including seven from Green, five from Andrew Bogut and five from Curry. The Magic were at least active with their hands, deflecting passes and giving themselves a chance to get out on the break.

Still the Warriors were able to get those flurries and build their lead.

Golden State locked down Orlando’s offense in the first quarter and built a 13-point lead. The Magic were struggling to get much going in the paint and settled for quick shots and mid-range jumpers. It was not anywhere near efficient. Only turnovers kept the team close.

The Magic shot 37.0 percent from the floor in the first half and hit just one of eight 3-pointers. That is going to make it difficult to stay with Golden State on any night.

And then the Warriors had their flurries. They ended the first half on a nice stretch of 3-pointers and quick baskets that stretched the lead out, seemingly putting a nail into the Magic. They did so again in the third quarter with Curry and Thompson making shots and the ball moving rapidly.

Yet the Magic kept fighting back.

Golden State seemed to have the game put away numerous times. In numerous instances it seemed like the Magic could pack things away and head on to Los Angeles to play the Lakers on Tuesday. This was the formula for the Warriors to win many of their home games against lesser opponents.

Yet the Magic kept fighting back.

Brandon Jennings made shots and scored, setting himself up for shots in scoring 20 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Victor Oladipo began driving to the basket instead of settling for his mid-range jumper, scoring 19 points on 8-for-16 shooting. Aaron Gordon settled down, stopping looking for his own shot and forcing jumpers and scoring on putbacks and post ups. Evan Fournier started making 3-pointers — 2 for 5 in the game — and that helped unlock the Magic.

Orlando’s offense started humming along and that got the team back into the game. The team began to convert on shots and convert off turnovers. Golden State kept throwing the ball around and the second unit could not move the ball effectively.

The Magic kept cutting into the lead.

Ultimately though, the Magic just could not get over the hump. They got it to two late in the game, where the variability and luck of the basketball cost them on the Klay Thompson 3-pointer.

However on two occasions the Magic had a chance to cut the lead from six to four or eight to six sooner int he fourth quarter and they frittered it away with rushed mid-range shots. At a time when the Magic needed to run some offense, they rushed and went for the hero move.

It happened late too as Victor Oladipo tried turning the corner and lost the ball off Andrew Bogut. The Warriors ran it down and were up by seven again.

The margin for error was too thin down 19 in the second half and 17 entering the fourth quarter. Orlando needed better efficiency and focus on both sides of the ball.

The fight was there again though. The Magic never backed down against the best in the league. Even if it still meant another loss and another missed opportunity. One the Magic certainly could have gotten with a better overall effort and focus.

Fight is valuable too. Especially after Friday and especially after the way the Warriors can demoralize a team’s defense. The kind of effort and fight the Magic showed Monday will be necessary the rest of this road trip.

Next: With road-heavy schedule, every game is a must win

Most importantly, immediately, Tuesday against the struggling Los Angeles Lakers.