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Orlando Magic Grades: Golden State Warriors 118, Orlando Magic 98

By David Iwanowski

Jan 22, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) moves to the basket s Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) moves to the basket s Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic caught the Golden State Warriors off guard in the first half, but a lights-out shooting third quarter buried the Magic.

VS.
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Warriors28224226118
Magic2228242498

The Orlando Magic had a window to attack the Golden State Warriors before they woke up and started clicking. And they could not take advantage of it.

The run was inevitable.

In what was seen as a potential trap game for the best team in the NBA, the Warriors came out a bit out of sync at the start and the Magic played with high energy. The Magic seemed to have maximum effort and attention against the league’s best team.

Orlando forced a lot of turnovers at the start, opened up a double-digit lead in the second quarter. The team looked to have the potential for an upset.

Then, at halftime, the Warriors woke up. Specifically, Stephen Curry put on a show shooting the ball, as he has so often.

The Magic were outscored 42-24 in the third quarter after being tied at halftime. Golen State went on a 22-6 run to take control and Stephen Curry scored 16 points in the quarter, making four 3-pointers. The game was over by then.

The Magic shot 42 of 96 from the field (43.8 percent), 7 for 28 from three (25.0 percent) and 7 for 16 from the line (43.8 percent). The Magic had 25 assists on 42 field goals.

It was not enough to keep pace with the Warriors. The final score was about what you would expect in an average game when a team with a +13.1 point differential per game faces a team with a -5.1 point differential per game.

Overall, not a bad showing for a Magic team that has established itself as among the cellar dwellers in the NBA. The Magic did some things right offensively and ended up holding the Warriors to their season average for points.

ELFRID PAYTON. A-. <strong><a rel=. PG. Orlando Magic

BISMACK BIYOMBO. A-. <strong><a rel=. C. Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. D. Not much coming from <strong><a rel=. SF

B+. About an average game for the Golden State Warriors, and I am giving a nice curve. They made some mental errors, specifically early, and did not seem to put the full effort on the defensive end they would have had they played against another top team.<p>But they shot the ball extremely well, specifically in the third quarter, and the margin of victory could have been more than 20 had they kept their key players in the game for more of the fourth quarter. The Warriors shot 42 for 89 from the field (47.2 percent), shot 19 for 42 from three (45.2 percent) and had 27 assists compared to 18 turnovers.</p><p>Some of those shooting stats went down in the fourth when the bench players were in. The Warriors played a strong game but clearly did not have the maximum level of focus and intensity they bring on prime time games.</p>. 38-6. 1st West. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS