- How To Watch:Â MagicTV 27 (Orlando); DAZN-Orlando (Orlando); NBC Sports Bay Area (San Francisco); NBA League Pass (National)
- STREAM MAGIC-WARRIORS ON FUBO TV
- How to Listen:Â 104.5 The Beat (Orlando); 95.7 The Game (San Francisco); SiriusXM Channel 219 (Warriors); SiriusXM Channel 901 (Magic); SiriusXM Channel 889 (Warriors); NBA Audio League Pass (National)
- FOLLOW LIVE: @OMAGICDAILY
- Tickets:Â $63-$588+ on StubHub
- 2027 Season Series:Â Tonight in San Francisco; Jan. 19 in Orlando
Orlando Magic at Golden State Warriors: Stats and 3 Keys to Watch
Orlando | Golden State | |
|---|---|---|
98.6 | Pace | 100.6 |
107.4 | Off. Rtg. | 117.0 |
116.3 | Def. Rtg. | 112.5 |
53.7 | eFG% | 55.5 |
30.4 | O.Reb.% | 34.2 |
18.6 | TO% | 16.7 |
29.1 | FTR | 30.7 |
1. The offense without turnovers
The story for the Orlando Magic's offense in the early part of the season is twofold: The massive increase in the number of 3-point attempts and the team's desire to hunt out perimeter shots, and the massive increase in turnovers that has the Magic sinking to the bottom of the standings.
Both of these elements have hampered the Magic in some way. The Magic are not shooting well enough despite the increase in open shots the team is creating, cramping the space for Franz Wagner to drive to the basket. The turnovers just keep the team from getting enough shots up.
The only pattern that holds is that the Magic are 2-0 when they shoot 40 percent from three. What nobody can really suss out is how good this offense might be when they do not turn the ball over.
The Orlando Magic have had a turnover rate of at least 15.0 percent in every game but one -- the win over the Toronto Raptors, which was the team's best offensive rating of the season. The Magic have averaged a 102.4 offensive rating in the games where they had at least a 19.0 percent turnover rate.
The Magic's turnovers do not have a direct link to their offense to some degreee. They had a 15.8 percent turnover rate in an abysmal shooting effort against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They had a 104.2 offensive rating, including missing seven wide-open three-pointers and committing four turnovers in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns.
There are a lot of positive signs for the Magic when they can get shots up. Then it truly becomes about makes and misses. But Orlando needs the opportunity. And the turnovers are putting them behind the 8-ball.
2. The shooting question
There are a lot of comments about shooting in that statement about the turnovers.
The Orlando Magic might be turning it over more because they are trying to force their way into the paint because their shooting is so unreliable.
It is not for lack of trying. The team's attempts are way up from last year. Desmond Bane and Tristan da Silva are both nearly getting up 10 attempts per game for the majority of the team's outside shot attempts.
Sean Sweeney's offense is generating more open looks -- 11th in the league with 19.1 wide-open attempts per game, according to NBA.com, compared to 18.4 last year. The Magic are making only 36.6 percent of these attempts.
Orlando must make teams pay for leaving them open and must cash in when their offense generates these open looks. The Magic went 8-for-20 against the Phoenix Suns, with many of those looks coming in the fourth quarter (3-for-5 in the fourth).
It is unfortunate that the Magic right now seem to get their energy from making shots. It is very important that they get off to a good start from deep. Especially considering the Golden State Warriors' firepower.
3. Win streak
The Orlando Magic could not be catching the Golden State Warriors at a worse time. The Warriors are on a six-game win streak after their 0-3 start.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has put himself in the rookie of the year conversation early on and rejuvenated the Warriors' offense, averaging 21.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Stephen Curry has been Stephen Curry too, averaging 29.9 points per game and shooting 44.0 percent from three.
This is a team that knows its identity and has been steadily evolving through the early part of the season.
Golden State has always been a strong offensive team just because Curry can twist a defense so clearly. But the Warriors have established their defense throughout this win streak, giving up only 107.6 points per 100 possessions in the last six games.
Golden State is playing about as well as any team could be at the moment.
Orlando Magic at Golden State Warriors: Injury Report & Projected Lineups
Orlando Magic Injury Report
- Paolo Banchero - OUT (Right High Ankle Sprain)
- Jalen Suggs - OUT (Right Knee Contusion/Bone Bruise)
- Noah Penda - OUT (Right Partially Torn Hamstring)
- Jonathan Isaac - OUT (Left Knee Injury Management)
- Izaiyah Nelson - OUT (Left Ankle Injury Recovery)
Golden State Warriors Injury Report
- Jimmy Butler III - OUT (Right ACL Repair/Surgery)
- Draymond Green - QUESTIONABLE (Right Elbow Inflammation/Soreness)
- Kristaps Porzingis - OUT (Not With Team)
- Moses Moody - OUT (Left Patellar Tendon Repair/Surgery)
- Gary Payton II - QUESTIONABLE (Right Calf Tightness/Soreness)
- Gui Santos - QUESTIONABLE (Left Knee Tendinitis)
Projected Starting Lineups
Orlando | Golden State | |
|---|---|---|
Jase Richardson | PG | Stephen Curry |
Desmond Bane | SG | Brandin Podziemski |
Anthony Black | SF | Yaxel Lendeborg |
Franz Wagner | PF | Draymond Green |
Wendell Carter | C | Will Richard |
Orlando Magic at Golden State Warriors: Prediction
2026-27 Record: 2-6/2-6 ATS
The Golden State Warriors do have weaknesses the Orlando Magic can exploit.
Both Draymond Green and Gui Santos are QUESTIONABLE for Saturday's game. Kristaps Porzingis is away from the team, dealing with a personal health issue. There is a size advantage the Magic should have. Orlando's best games have come when the team attacks the offensive glass.
But the Warriors are still 13th in offensive rebound rate and 10th in defensive rebound rate despite their lack of size and clear scoring from their centers. Orlando has struggled securing the offensive glass.
This will be a major point of contention. Because the Magic will not be able to keep up with the Warriors if they are at full offensive tilt.
The Magic do not have a natural and strong matchup to deal with Stephen Curry with both Jase Richardson and Desmond Bane not suited to chase him around screens or keep him in front of them.
This will be an extremely challenging game for the Magic regardless. And Orlando is not playing or shooting well enough to stay in it.
The Magic need their best game to win.
Add us as a preferred source on Google