The Golden State Warriors were coming off an easy victory over Miami, and they came down to Orlando and made sure to pick up another victory, defeating the Magic 111-96. The Warriors move to 12-2, while the Orlando Magic fall to 6-11.
It wasn’t Orlando’s fault. In fact, the Magic did a great job of coming back from a double-digit lead after Golden State took a quick 10-2 lead. From that point to mid-way through the second quarter, Orlando was putting up quite a fight with Golden State. Attacking them offensively, and making things tough for every Warrior not named Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Then, like most good teams do, the Warriors took Orlando’s soul. The Warriors not only crushed them in the third quarter, but they suffocated them defensively as well, holding Orlando to 13 points in the third. A small part of it was Orlando’s poor shooting in the quarter, but a ton of it was Golden State going to a trio of Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, while Andrew Bogut sat idle at the rim. That foursome just eliminated Orlando tonight.
Speaking of Stephen Curry, Curry just might be the 4th best player in the league right now. He’s playing incredible basketball right now. Curry finished with 28 points on 13 shots, eight assists, and five rebounds with just one turnover. He continues to be an automatic two points when he’s open, and he always makes the correct move when running the offense. The combination of Bogut, Green, and Curry as passers is beautiful to watch.
Another Golden State paragraph (I know, we’re getting to Orlando in a few), the Warriors bench is something to behold. They can unload a better defensive team with Brandon Rush, Andre Iguodala, and Shaun Livingston out there. After numerous injuries, Rush is more of a smart team defender, but Livingston and Iguodala are good solo defenders, and both can move around and defend multiple positions, as shown against Orlando.
For Orlando, Tobias Harris had a good game, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He looked good on the offensive end, attacking the basket and avoiding the three-point line. The defense, though? Let’s just say it wasn’t his best night. Nikola Vucevic scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, but he shot poorly, finishing 4-15 on the night. Oh, and his counterpart, Andrew Bogut, finished with six points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks.
When Oladipo and Vucevic combine for 8-22 shooting, it’s going to be a rough night. Not to mention, no shame in playing and losing to a team like Golden State. The Warriors just might be one of the five best teams in basketball. Again, I applaud Orlando for their fight in the first half. This team is 76ers level bad, but there are plenty of adjustments to be made here.
I would say more, but I have some notes, as well as another piece coming out soon enough.
NOTES
- Channing Frye is not yet acclimated with the offense. Personally, I want the Magic to give him 10-12 shots a game, and continuously run pick and roll with him. I don’t think it’s fair to say the Magic purchased a lemon, but man, outside of his pristine three-point shooting (43% on close to five attempts per game) he’s been bad to start the season. I’m going to chalk it up to a new offense.
- Death to the Victor Oladipo at point guard experiment. He’s just not a point guard. Move him to small forward and be done with it.
- Willie Green and Ben Gordon: 38 minutes of play. I don’t like calling for a coach’s head, but that’s a fireable offense. You have all of these young athletes, some who can use more playing time, and you do that.
- Evan Fournier is a pretty good player. I still don’t know what he does defensively, but he works as a second ball-handler and overall offensive talent. He didn’t have a great game here, but his skill set is perfect for what this Orlando Magic team needs from a wing player.
- Maurice Harkless and Kyle O’Quinn: 33 minutes —> 6/7 from the field. Both should be getting more playing time. Even if you believe Harkless won’t become a three-and-D player he was looking to become last season, he’s still a quality defender, capable of defending shooting guards and small forward. O’Quinn is the team’s best rim protector, and he’s also a solid passer.