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Facing their toughest challenge of the season, the Orlando Magic welcomed the league best Golden State Warriors to the lively Amway Center. Stephen Curry put on a magical show, downing the Magic almost single handedly, with Golden State winning 130-114.
In front of their best crowd of the season, the Magic got off to a good start against the seemingly unbeatable Warriors. After an abysmal defensive performance on Tuesday night, the Magic brought good energy early, getting after the Warriors and forcing them into some early uncharacteristic mistakes. The Warriors quickly tightened up, however, with Stephen Curry breaking the NBA record for most consecutive games with a three-pointer at 128 straight, aiding the Warriors in their strong finish to the opening quarter. With strong interior play and ball movement, the Warriors took a three point lead, 33-30, into the second quarter.
Continuing their strong play, the Magic took advantage of the Warriors continuous mistakes on both ends. Behind continued active hands on the defensive end, the Magic controlled much of the second quarter, despite continued strong ball movement and high shooting from the Warriors. Orlando got Golden State in the penalty early, shooting 12 free throws in the quarter, which helped make up for their generally poor shooting from the field. By the halftime break, the Magic found themselves in a position to take home a big win, up 63-59 on the high powered Warriors.
Out of halftime, the Warriors began to impose their strength and superiority on the young Magic. Behind 24 third quarter points from Curry, the Warriors outscored the Magic 40-28 in the quarter, shooting a blistering 15-of-22 from the field. Despite having the Warriors in the penalty with half the quarter to go, the Magic weren't able to take advantage, shooting just eight free throws in the quarter, with two coming with just .9 on the clock. After Curry's lights out quarter, the Warriors found themselves in the lead, up 99-91 after three.
With a growing lead, the Warriors took a strangle hold on the game and never looked back. Golden State imposed their will, pushing their lead higher and higher as the quarter wore on. Despite their best effort, the Magic came up short thanks to an all-time performance from Curry.
Curry led all scorers, flirting with more NBA history before finishing with 51 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Speights scored 14 off the bench, with Andrew Bogut and Draymond Green each adding 12. Harrison Barnes rounded out the Warriors in double figures, finishing with 10.
Evan Fournier led the Magic, finishing with 20. Aaron Gordon tied his career-high with 19, with Nikola Vucevic adding 17. Victor Oladipo scored 14, while Elfrid Payton scored 12 on the night.