Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is fouled by Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton, left, while driving to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
By Jerry Feitelberg
The Warriors probably played their best game of the year as they were firing on all cylinders as they beat the Orlando Magic 133-112 at the Amway Center Friday night. The Warriors led from start to finish. Even though they committed 19 turnovers, they recorded an astounding 46 assists on 55 field goals.
Four of the Warriors’ starters were in double figures and rookie Jordan Bell, who played 16 minutes, kicked in with 16 points. Bell had four rebounds and blocked three shots as he impressed the coaches with his performance. Curry had this to say about the amazing number of assists: “That’s what we pride ourselves on, ball movement, getting everyone involved,” “Everybody gets touches, and we help each other in that way because we are all threats.” Two of the Warriors finished the night with a double-double. Curry scored 23 points and had 10 assists. Draymond Green finished the night with 12 points and also had 10 assists.
Curry and Durant scored the first 10 points of the game for the Warriors. Each player made a three-point shot, and each made a two-pointer. That set the stage for the Dubs as they outscored the Magic 41-34 at the end of the first quarter. The Warriors kept it going as they increased the lead to 15 (78-63) at the end of the first half.
Orlando won the third quarter 28-24 to shave four points off the lead, but the Warriors were not fazed and outscored the Magic by 10 in the fourth quarter to win by 21 (133-112).
Game notes and stats: With the win, the Warriors are now 17-6 for the season, and the Magic fall to 9-14.
Scoring leaders for Golden State were Klay Thompson with 27. Curry had 23, 10 assists, six rebounds, and three steals. Durant knocked down 25 points, seven assists, two rebounds, and four blocked shots. Durant was ejected from the game for arguing with the referees with 4:52 left to play. Durant had this to say about the team’s play and the 46 assists: “That’s amazing…Everybody came and made plays tonight. We moved well without the ball and kept clicking on all cylinders.”
The Warriors bench outscored the Magic bench 40-23. Jordan Bell had 16 and Patrick McCaw had eight. Scoring leaders for Orlando were Aaron Gordon 29, Evan Fournier 22, Jonathan Simmons 22, Elfrid Payton 10, and D.J.Augustin 12.
The Warriors played an amazing game as they were in total control from start to finish. What they did in Orlando certainly impressed the Magic’s coach Frank Vogel. “Golden State definitely impresses you with everything they do,” Vogel said. “Their passing, their cutting, their ability to play off each other and their shot-making facilitates all of that stuff.”
Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr said this about the team’s effort on Friday: “I think the guys were embarrassed by the last two games,” Kerr said, referring to an overtime win over the Lakers and a loss to the Kings. “If we can just play with that kind of energy, a little better judgment, and a little better defense, we’re on to something. This is a good step in the right direction.”
The Warriors played pretty well on defense. They outrebounded the Magic 42-35. They made nine steals and had 11 blocks. On offense, they shot 62.5% from the floor and made 11 of 24 three-point shots and held Orlando to just 45.8% from the floor.
The Warriors travel to Miami to face the Heat. Their coach, Eric Spoelstra, loves to slow down the pace of the game, and the Heat gave the Warriors all they could handle when they played in Oakland. The Heat will have Dion Waiters back, and Waiters destroyed the Dubs last year when the Heat beat them in Miami. The Warriors and Steve Kerr will have their work cut out for them. Game time is at 4 pm.
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