Golden State Warriors Dazzle In 94-81 Victory over Orlando Magic

Dec 14, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) sets up the play during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

The score of the Orlando Magic-Golden State Warriors’ game Tuesday night does not tell the whole tale. The Warriors had a well-deserved victory and led by 25 points, and it looked like they were about to blow it at some point. Nevertheless, they pulled it out and continue their hot streak to improve to 20-13. Tuesday, they got the victory 94-81.

The standout statistic of this game was the Warriors’ block total with 11.

The first six minutes of the first quarter looked a lot like the Warriors’ game against the Cavaliers. Fortunately for them, however, they didn’t go into a 6-for-24 shooting slump, and they continued to work on some fire. Mid-first quarter, Nikola Vucevic injured his left ankle defending Andrew Bogut and would not return for the rest of the game. This facilitated the Warriors’ scoring in the paint without a big inside presence.

Every starter was getting into the mix a little bit, although none of them were having particularly big games. At the end of the first, the Warriors led the ballgame 26-15.

Entering the second quarter, the Warriors continued to built on their already-hot night. They built a 20-point lead, and floated around there for much of the quarter. They were playing solid defense, and doing everything correctly. The only reason that they weren’t completely pummeling the Magic was because some fortuitous bounces for the Magic had the Warriors’ shots rimming out when open. Still, the Warriors maintained a 58-35 lead at the half.

The Warriors “dropped the ball” in the third quarter. They seemed to lose all their momentum, and the Magic seemed to be playing with a lot of pride as well as confidence in their own building. They tightened up on defense, began to hit some 3-pointers, and brought themselves to a 15-point game, when the Warriors previously led by 25. They were outscored 24-16 in the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the reserves started, and the Warriors had almost no momentum. Mark Jackson made a great decision in playing these guys for the rest of the quarter.

To follow up his outstanding performance in Cleveland, Draymond Green finished the game with 6 points, 4 blocks, 2 steals, and 9 rebounds. He wasn’t the only bench player showing some great potential.

Kent Bazemore and Mo Speights have been playing excellent basketball coming off the bench, whether it be with defense, rebounding, or in Tuesday’s game, scoring. Speights totaled 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Bazemore put in 12 points and 3 assists.

Klay Thompson, who finished with 15 points, 2 blocks, and a steal, played stifling defense on Arron Afflalo, forcing the star into a 7/18 night with 15 points.

The Warriors build on their winning ways and continue their winning streak, which now stands at six. The Warriors (20-13) now travel to Miami to face the Heat. This is a game that they won last year off of a Draymond Green game winner. Should be an interesting one.