Tonight's Game: Golden State Warriors vs. Orlando Magic - Open Thread

by Evan Dunlap on Dec 3, 2007 12:26 PM EST in 2007/2008 Previews

	vs.
9-7		15-4
Oracle Arena
10:30 PM
Sun Sports HD
Probable starters:
Baron Davis	PG	Jameer Nelson
Monta Ellis	SG	Keith Bogans
Stephen Jackson	SF	Hedo Turkoglu
Al Harrington	PF	Rashard Lewis
Andris Biedrins	C	Dwight Howard

The Warriors are on a six-game winning streak and have won nine of their last ten games. Stephen Jackson is a big reason why. Golden State of Mind, my SB Nation sister-site, details how Captain Jack's defense has improved the Warriors in this insightful post.
We should be prepared for a track meet tonight: the Warriors are the fifth-fastest team in the league, averaging 97 possessions per game. However, the Magic have been successful playing at that pace. This season, they are 5-1 when they have 97 possessions or more.
Baron Davis is a certified Magic-killer. He dropped 38 points on us last year in Orlando just a few years after posting back-to-back triple-doubles against us in the playoffs. He'll be licking his chops tonight; at 6'3" and 215 pounds, he should be able to bowl right over our 5'10", 180-pound Jameer Nelson.
Speaking of Jameer, he struggled mightily last night: 1-of-9 shooting for 2 points. We'll probably see a lot of Keyon Dooling at the point tonight. He has the size to match up with Davis, and he's a much better defender anyway.
The last time we played the Warriors in Oakland, the result was bittersweet. Dwight Howard tore the Dubs apart to the tune of 30 points and 25 rebounds, but Trevor Ariza sprained his right MCL and missed 22 games; the Magic went 5-17 in those games to drop their record to 27-30.That's no coincidence.
There's a great chance that Dwight will go for 20+ rebounds tonight. The Warriors are the worst team in the league at allowing offensive rebounds, as their opponents have grabbed 30.4% of their own misses this season. What's the over/under on putback dunks for Dwight tonight? 6.5? And would anyone actually take the under?
J.A. Adande wrote about the Magic's league-best road record for today's Daily Dime at ESPN.
More at ESPN: the Magic are tops in Marc Stein's Power Rankings this week. The Warriors are 9th.

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Dooling

Props to Dooling for getting it done and some last night against the Lakers. We will need more of that tonight though I don't think the game will hinge on his play. In his minds' eye he is Jordan, and sometimes that does not translate well over to reality, though it sure did last night. The dunk on Kobe was great, you could almost see his wheels spinning as he realized he had the angle. I hope Jameer gets his shot on line for tonight as that leads to his penetration which leads to easy baskets. I say Magic win big with three bombs and Howard dominating the inside. I don't think G State matches up well with our big front court and that will open up the outside shooting. Should be fun to watch!

by Eyriq the Red on Dec 3, 2007 3:09 PM EST reply actions

Re: Dooling

I don't know. If anyone besides Dwight is going to have a big game, it'll be Turkoglu. Stephen Jackson is a terrific defender, and he'll be assigned to guard Lewis. That'll leave Al Harrington to guard Turk, and I think his quickness and ballhandling skills will create a mismatch.

by Evan Dunlap on Dec 3, 2007 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

Loving the Adonal Love!

Everyone in the Bay is cheering him on, and Van Gundy is even Getting him minutes! Does it get any better than this?!?!!?

by Zorgon on Dec 3, 2007 11:20 PM EST reply actions

Adonal

I wish I could have heard his ovation. It must have been nice.

by Evan Dunlap on Dec 3, 2007 11:31 PM EST up reply actions

It was like music!

Anyway, kudos to the Magic for their win. They really derserved it, the Warriors were mostly getting a lot of lucky breaks, and their flaws really showed when Baron Davis got fouled out. I mean, shot after shot! It's like you guys are shooting machines! Anyway, good game.

by Zorgon on Dec 4, 2007 1:35 AM EST up reply actions