The Warriors' homestand continues on Thursday night against the visiting Orlando Magic.
Warriors vs. MagicThursday, March 167:30 p.m.Oracle Arena
WATCH: CSN Bay Area, NBA League Pass*
RADIO: 95.7 The Game, Warriors Radio Network
KEEP THE GOOD TIMES ROLLIN’
Coming of a thrilling comeback victory, the Warriors look to make it two wins in a row when they host the visiting Orlando Magic on Thursday night. This will be the second and final matchup between the two teams this season, after Golden State prevailed 118-98 in their first encounter back on January 22nd. The game also falls on Go Green Night, and all fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt courtesy of BMW. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Watch the action on CSN Bay Area and NBA League Pass*, or listen to the call on 95.7 The Game, or the Warriors Radio Network.
*Only available outside of the Bay Area
LAST TIME OUT
The Warriors brought an end to their losing streak after coming back to earn a 106-104 victory over the visiting 76ers on Tuesday night. Full Recap
MATCHUP AT A GLANCE
GSW
53-14
1st in West
116.1 PPG (1st)
44.5 RPG (7th)
30.2 APG (1st)
ORL
24-44
14th in East
99.9 PPG (29th)
42.9 RPG (t-23rd)
21.8 APG (17th)
PROJECTED STARTERS
GSW: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Patrick McCaw, Draymond Green and Zaza Pachulia
PHI: Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier, Terrence Ross, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic
INJURY & ROSTER NOTES
GSW: Kevin Durant (left knee) is out. Damian Jones (D-League assignment) is not with team. Team Notes
PHI: Jodie Meeks (right thumb) is questionable. Team Notes
DRAYMOND THE DIFFERENCE-MAKER
While it was a team effort, chances are Golden State would not have been able to complete their comeback victory over the 76ers on Tuesday night if not for the dominant performance of Draymond Green. After going down 16 points near the end of the third quarter, Green scored the Warriors next six points as part of an extended 12-0 Dubs’ run that would get them within shouting distance, and his sheer energy and will to win proved vital in taking over the lead for good. He came up with yet another crucial block toward the end of the victory, putting the stamp on a night in which his difference-making skillset was on full display. He would go on to total 20 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, six blocks and four steals in the contest, becoming the first and only player to put up those numbers since Hakeem Olajuwon did so on March 3, 1990 (ironically against Golden State). While it would be unfair to expect that sort of output on a nightly basis, it just goes to show the immense impact Green is capable of having on a game, and when he does play like that, it can only mean good things for his team.
TEAM LEADERS
GSW
PTS: Durant (25.3)
REB: Durant (8.2)
AST: Green (7.2)
PHI
PTS: Fournier (16.9)
REB: Vucevic (10.1)
AST: Payton (6.0)
ORLANDO SCOUTING REPORT
16 teams will find themselves in the postseason in another five weeks, but the Magic will not be one of them. At 24-44, Orlando sits well outside the playoff picture and possesses the fourth-worst record in the entire league. Scoring has been an issue, as only the Dallas Mavericks average fewer points per game than the Magic’s 99.9. They’ve lost five of their last six games, but that hasn’t prevented certain individuals from putting up gaudy numbers. Elfrid Payton has logged a triple-double in three of their last five contests, doubling his career count in the process. They’ve struggled defensively as well, putting up the fifth-worst defensive rating in the NBA since the All-Star break with 110.6 points against per 100 possessions. That said, it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for the Warriors as of late either, so expect both sides to come out on Thursday night with something to prove.