Orlando Magic at Golden State Warriors (Feb. 11, 2021): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic’s road trip continues to San Francisco as the team takes on Stephen Curry and the steaking Golden State Warriors with several players potentially out.
Orlando Magic (9-16) vs. Golden State Warriors (13-12)
Time/TV:
10 p.m./FOX Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-WARRIORS ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVETickets:
No Tickets Available on StubHub
2021 Season Series:
Tonight in San Francisco; Feb. 19 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 99.2 | 105.1 | 112.5 | 49.1 | 27.8 | 13.8 | 22.6 |
| Golden State | 103.6 | 109.9 | 109.1 | 54.0 | 22.7 | 13.9 | 25.9 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic’s injured list continues to grow and grow. And at the positions they really cannot afford to lose anybody. Cole Anthony is listed as questionable after a shoulder sprain suffered in Tuesday’s loss. Even at full strength he would have had his hands full chasing Stephen Curry around as he has regained his form after returning from injury last year. That is in addition to Al-Farouq Aminu also being listed as questionable. At least both Evan Fournier and Michael Carter-Williams might play now.
But this team and game will be a test nonetheless. The Golden State Warriors are not the same juggernaut team they were in their championship days. Everything now revolves around Curry and his absence turns Golden State from a devastating team to a very mortal one. But are the Magic going to be able to take advantage? Like the Portland Trail Blazers, the Golden State Warriors do not have a ton of size suggesting Nikola Vucevic could be in for a big game. Can he give the team another 40-minute effort?
Prediction. 102. 38. 113. 41
3 Keys To Watch
Vote for Vooch
Before reading any further, pop onto NBA.com or onto Twitter and vote for Nikola Vucevic for the NBA All-Star Game. Vucevic was again left out of the top-10 frontcourt players for All-Star voting, not that he was ever going to get in on the strength of voting anyway.
https://twitter.com/NBAAllStar/status/1359911057297338369
But it is still a little frustrating that he is not getting the recognition he deserves. About the only thing that should keep Vucevic out of the All-Star running is the Magic’s poor record (it is not like the Eastern Conference is that much better though).
Vucevic has been feasting on all kinds of opponents this year. Especially if they are undersized. In his last 10 games, he is averaging 23.3 points per game and 12.6 rebounds per game. He is doing everything for the team at this point. They simply do not function without him. And that has been a heavy burden to bear. But the Magic will need another big game to have a chance in this one.
Beyond the arc
Three-point defense continues to be a big story for the Orlando Magic. A lot of 3-point defense is randomness. Teams can hit 3-pointers against good defense and whether they make them or not can at times be pretty random. Usually, teams will look less at percentage and more at the number of attempts and the quality of attempts to determine good 3-point defense.
On that front then, the Magic are giving up 37.2-percent shooting from deep (17th in the league) and 35.2 attempts per game (19th in the league). Of those 35.2 attempts, 18.6 per game come with the closest defender more than six feet away and 13.0 with the closest defender 4-6 feet away. Essentially 21.6 of 35.2 of the 3-point attempts the Magic give up are considered “open” shots.
So here comes Stephen Curry who is shooting 51.3-percent on 3-pointers with 5.9 makes per game in his last 10 games. This coming off a game where the Portland Trail Blazers made 18 of 37 from deep to hold off a spirited Orlando Magic effort.
What’s the point?
Guarding Stephen Curry will obviously be the biggest priority. He has been doing a whole lot more work for the Golden State Warriors than normal. And teams simply have not been able to corral or defend him effectively this season. That is just what Stephen Curry does though.
Next. Orlando Magic navigating the impossible now. dark
The Magic are unfortunately very short-handed at the point guard spot. Cole Anthony is listed as questionable. And while Michael Carter-Williams has been upgraded to questionable, it is not clear whether he will make his return or how much he can play. That is going to leave the team scrambling to defend Curry and get organized on both ends. This might be a night to play Curry in daily fantasy games.