In a shocking turn of events, the Golden State Warriors will be heading back to Oakland coming off an unbelievable 17-point loss to the Western Conference’s worst team—the 13-51 Los Angeles Lakers. And yes, you read that right.
The defending champions will now be looking to unleash their frustrations and also avoid their first back-to-back setback of the season when they take on the visiting Orlando Magic. Both clubs met 11 days ago at Amway Center, where the Warriors came away with the huge road victory. Can they do it again in front of their home crowd? Or will the Magic give them a taste of their own medicine?
[sc:NBA250 ] Please read on below for a comprehensive look at this promising showdown. And while you’re at it, prepare yourselves for March Madness through our conference tournament previews: ACC, MEAC and Big Sky.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors Preview
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
When: Monday, March 7, 2016, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Orlando Magic (-14.5) at Golden State Warriors (+14.5); total: 222.0 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: CSBA, FSFL
Betting on the Orlando Magic (27-34)
[sc:NBA250 ]The Orlando Magic also head into this matchup coming off a shocking loss to another Western Conference cellar-dweller in the form of the Phoenix Suns, who defeated them on Friday night, 102-84.
During that game, the Magic evidently struggled to get baskets as they shot the ball collectively at 34.7 percent. A testament to this struggle was Nikola Vucevic who went 7-of-19 from the field for his 15 points. But it’s worth noting that they played short-handed in that game with Victor Oladipo sitting out with a bruised lower back.
Fortunately though, the Magic are expected to have Oladipo back when they go on the road against the reigning champions and the No. 1 team in the NBA right now—the Golden State Warriors. Orlando is 2-8 SU and 4-6 ATS in its previous 10 games on the road.
Oladipo’s return should provide the Magic a little bit of confidence and a much-needed boost on offense. The 23-year-old shooting guard is currently the second-leading scorer in team with 14.7 points per contest. He also owns a respectable track record opposite Golden State with averages of 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists across five career games. Oladipo, though, shot just 5-of-16 from the floor for 14 points in their last meeting with Golden State on February 27.
Ultimately, defense should be the main focus for the Magic in this one. They’ll be matching up against a Warriors team that is putting up a league-best 115.4 points and one that’ll be aiming for its 45th-straight home victory. Orlando is allowing 102.2 points this season.
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Betting on the Golden State Warriors (55-6)
A loss to Kobe Bryant’s Lakers will probably haunt the Golden State Warriors for a long while. But instead of ruing over it, Stephen Curry and co. ought to use it as a much-needed reminder to avoid becoming lax as they continue to chase history. And of course, the best response would be to bounce back against the visiting Orlando Magic.
The Warriors, who have yet to be beaten at home since Jan. 28 of last year and are 8-2 SU (3-6-1 ATS) in their past 10 contests, will try to regain their outside touch after shooting just 13.3% from the three-point line against the purple and gold. Expect the Splash Brothers—Curry and Klay Thompson—to continue unloading shot after shot against an inconsistent Orlando defense.
Curry, in particular, will be trying to replicate his 51-point explosion during their recent win against the Magic last month. He also shot 10-of-15 from downtown in that performance. Meanwhile, Thompson, who went 0-for-8 from three against the Lakers, should be able to redeem himself at Oracle Arena, where he is averaging 20.6 points on 44.8% shooting across 25 games thus far this season.
Speaking of redemption, Golden State’s workhorse in Draymond Green will be trying to do just that as well. The former Spartan finished with nine points, 10 boards and nine dimes in yesterday’s loss at Staples Center. But he also committed seven turnovers during that game. At home this season, Green is posting 14.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.9 assists.
Writer’s Prediction
Golden State (-14.5) clobbers the Magic, 119-102.
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