This is a continuation of the first half recap from Amway Arena between the Golden State Warriors seeking a franchise-best 7-1 road start and the young Orlando Magic.
THIRD QUARTER
The Warriors didn’t skip a beat after the break as they came back in the second half with some of their best team ball, with very balanced play.
Klay Thompson feigned a three-pointer in transition, allowing Victor Olidapo to fly by, and then Thompson attacked the rim, shielding the ball with his body as a couple Magic players came to help. Klay laid the ball off the backboard for an easy two, prompting Orlando head coach Jacque Vaughn to call timeout with 8:58 to go and Golden State up, 71-55.
But that wouldn’t stop the Warriors’ dominance.
Stephen Curry tallied his sixth three-pointer of the night, then Draymond Green hit two treys of his own in a row, largely due to the attention that Curry was getting after the 25-point first-half performance.
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As Draymond’s second triple splashed through as a result of a Curry behind-the-back assist, Curry gave his trademark exultation.
Every Warriors starter for the second half had scored by then and the bulge was up to 82-61, with 5:43 to go in the quarter.
Marreese Speights checked in for Andrew Bogut at the 5:00 mark and Shaun Livingston subbed for Curry at the 4:23 mark. The Warriors had collected 24 assists and committed just 5 turnovers by the time the second unit had come in in the second half.
Even more promising, Andre Iguodala hit an in-rhythm three-pointer from the corner in early offense and Speights got another blocked shot.
Curry’s numbers were at 28 points, 9-for-13 shooting, 6-for-8 from downtown, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. Thompson had 12 points, although he was 0-for-2 from downtown. Bogut had 12 points, 7 assists. Barnes had 14 points, 4 rebounds. Green had 10 points, 4 rebounds.
Golden State took a commanding 92-65 lead into the final frame.
FOURTH QUARTER
Things got understandably a little sloppier in the fourth quarter, but Warriors head coach didn’t let his foot off the accelerator as far as lineups were concerned, going with his second-unit rotation of Iguodala, Speights, Livingston, Brandon Rush, and Barnes, as the rest of the starters ended their nights.
It was only until the 6:00 mark when Justin Holiday got some burn.
Rush came back in for Iguodala, after an Iguodala run-out dunk, with a little less than three minutes to go. Ognjen Kuzmic and Festus Ezeli also got mop-up work.
The Warriors would go on to win with a final score of 111-96.
Aside from Curry’s 28 and the rest of the starters, Iguodala finished with 13 points on 6-for-9 from the floor, Speights tallied 11-and-6, although he was just 4-for-12 from the field, and Livingston had a season-high 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including 5 assists.
The Warriors travel north to face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, Curry’s annual homecoming to the city where he grew up. Happy Thanksgiving!
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