Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors (March 22, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic close their six-game homestand taking on an undermanned Golden State Warriors as the final countdown of the season begins.
Orlando Magic (19-53) vs. Golden State Warriors (47-24)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: Warriors by 7.5
Tickets: $40-$1,270 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Warriors 126, Magic 95 in San Francisco on Dec. 6; Tonight in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State | 98.8 | 112.1 | 106.2 | 55.2 | 27.0 | 15.0 | 23.3 |
| Orlando | 99.8 | 104.0 | 111.9 | 50.2 | 25.2 | 14.6 | 23.0 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic will close their second big homestand of the season hoping to salvage a .500 record. Their 3-2 homestand in January seemed to be the team turning something of a corner and was confirmation of the team’s general improvement defensively. A 3-3 homestand here would very much feel like the team is salvaging something after two horrid performances last week as part of a three-game losing streak.
The Golden State Warriors will not be at full strength with Stephen Curry out with a left foot sprain. Andrew Wiggins is probable with a left knee contusion. So the Magic will have a window to beat a really good team.
This is still a tough game. The Warriors play tough and can still defend well even with Curry out of the game. This will still be a huge challenge even with the Warriors playing undermanned.
38. Prediction. 108. 41. 104
3 Keys To Watch
The home court
The Orlando Magic had a few clear goals this season. They wanted to begin forming their defensive identity, get better as the season went on, reintegrate injured players into the fold and win on their home floor. A lot of those are about establishing who this team wants to be and what they will ultimately be like when they “grow up,” so to speak.
In some ways, the Magic have accomplished some of these goals. They have played like a top-10 defense since Jan. 1 and have seen some solid growth on that end.
In other ways, they have not. Jonathan Isaac is not back and suffered a setback that required minor surgery to his right hamstring. The Magic still have the goal for him to be ready for training camp next fall.
The one area that is certainly up in the air and lagging? The Magic’s home record.
Orlando has just nine wins at the Amway Center, the fewest home wins in the league. And like many things this year, it is verging on the worst home record in franchise history.
This homestand, like the five-game homestand in January, was supposed to be a time to build some confidence and sell this team’s future to the fans. It has not done that at all. The performances against both the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons put quite a damper on this homestand. Even with the chance to still salvage a .500 homestand.
Orlando is still trying to establish its homecourt and the team has had some good wins. But this was an opportunity that got by them to build some needed rapport on the home floor with the team’s fans.
Warriors without Curry
It is hard to win without your best player. It is extremely hard to win when your best player is so central to everything you do. Stephen Curry is that guy for the Golden State Warriors’ offense, in much the same way Draymond Green is that guy for them defensively.
Curry’s impact is pretty big. It is not just his 25.5 points per game or his 4.5 3-pointers per game. With Curry on the floor, the Warriors score 114.1 points per 100 possessions with Curry on the floor. That is two points per 100 possessions than their season average. Without Curry, Golden State scores only 104.0 points per 100 possessions. That is about what the Magic are averaging this season.
Golden State is only 2-5 with Curry out. And Green’s presence will give the Warriors some defensive heft still. But Golden State’s offense definitely takes a dive when Curry is unavailable.
Jeff Dowtin back in Orlando
The Orlando Magic made one new addition Tuesday, bringing back Jeff Dowtin on a 10-day contract. Dowtin spent training camp with the Orlando Magic, even hitting a game-winning basket to beat the Boston Celtics in the preseason finale and the team’s only preseason win. He then signed a contract with the Golden State Warriors and later signed with the Milwaukee Bucks for a brief stint.
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Dowtin has played most of the season with the Lakeland Magic, averaging 21.3 points per game and shooting 56.8-percent from the floor while adding 6.1 assists per game for good measure. He has proven to be a solid G-League point guard and someone who has a lot to prove as a player knocking on the door of a full-time NBA job.