Stephen Curry delivered a game-winning 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the Dubs' 98-97 win over the Magic.
GAME LEADERS
Stephen Curry saved the Warriors from the all-to-common letdown in the first game back after a long road trip, sinking the game-winning three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left to beat the visiting Orlando Magic 98-97 on Tuesday night. Curry’s dramatic shot put the exclamation mark on a Warriors’ 14-4 run to end the game, with all 14 of those Golden State points scored by Curry and his backcourt mate Klay Thompson. Thompson notched 11 of his 20 points in the decisive fourth quarter, as the Warriors avoided what would have been a disappointing loss after having a 10-point halftime lead. The victory pushes the Warriors’ franchise-best start to 15-2 and win streak to 10 games. With a victory in their next game against the Pelicans on Thursday, the Dubs would tie the longest win streak in franchise history.
As happens frequently in the first game back from a long road trip, the Warriors didn’t get off to a terrific start, trailing the Magic 15-8 halfway through the first quarter. The Dubs would inch closer and head into the second frame down 25-24, where they would eventually open up what looked to be a sizeable lead. Using an 18-4 run to close the second quarter in which the Warriors outscored the Magic 32-21, Golden State headed into halftime with a 56-46 advantage. Considering that coming into the game, the Warriors were the best third quarter team in the NBA and Orlando was the worst (in terms of scoring differential), it appeared as if that 10-point lead might have been enough to give Golden State the lead for good. The Magic, however, had other plans.