Curry, Warriors complete back-to-back sweep, hold off Magic
Gary Payton II stalled an Orlando run with an interior hoop, Stephen Curry saved his only two fourth-quarter baskets for the final 1:09, and the Golden State Warriors overcame the early ejection of Draymond Green to hold off the host Magic 101-93 on Wednesday, March 27 (Thursday, March 28, Manila time).
Andrew Wiggins had 13 of his team-high 23 points in the fourth quarter as the Warriors (38-34) followed up a win at Miami with a second Florida victory in two nights.
Cole Anthony had a game-high 26 points along with 8 rebounds off the bench for the Magic (42-30), including a 15-footer that capped a 7-0 Orlando run that got the hosts within 94-93 with 2:41 remaining.
Wiggins then missed a three-pointer, but the Magic turned the ball over on a 24-second violation. The Warriors capitalized on a second chance to extend the lead, as Trayce Jackson-Davis found Payton in the key for a short-range shot that made it a three-point game with 1:41 to go.
Curry and the Golden State defense did the rest.
The Golden State star banked in a driving basket at the 1:09 mark, then buried a three-pointer with 33.8 seconds left, giving the visitors a 101-93 lead.
Meanwhile, the Magic didn’t score after Anthony’s hoop, missing three shots – one that was blocked by Wiggins.
Green was ejected just 3:36 into the game for disputing a foul call on Curry, drawing two rapid-fire technical fouls. Green had earlier voiced his displeasure over a foul called on him.
The ejection was his league-leading fourth of the season.
After Orlando’s Paolo Banchero split the two technical free throws, the Warriors responded with a flurry, scoring 17 of the game’s next 18 points to go up 23-9.
Down by as many as 17, the Magic got within 45-37 by halftime, 72-66 at third quarter’s end, and then 94-93 before Golden State’s 7-0 finish.
Curry finished with 17 points and 10 assists as the Warriors, who won for the 20th time on the road this season. Jackson-Davis pulled a game-high 14 rebounds to go with 8 points, while Klay Thompson chipped in with 15 points, Moses Moody 12, and Payton 10.
Banchero, held to 5-for-17 shooting, had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Magic, who lost their second straight. Franz Wagner added 14 points. – Rappler.com