Magic at Warriors GameThread

The Orlando Magic have been one of the early surprises in the NBA so far this 2017-18 season. Orlando has already found success on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Memphis Grizzlies this year.

But they haven't been tested to date like they will be in tonight's match-up against the Golden State Warriors. The defending NBA champions have not missed a beat in '17-'18, entering Monday's contest with the top offense in the league (120.3 points/game, 117.5 Offensive Rating). The Warriors lead the NBA in team FG%, 3PT%, and total assists.

To make matters worse, the Warriors are scorching hot (even by their standards) of late, riding a six game winning streak in which they are beating opponents by an average of 21 points. Incredibly, the Warriors are one of only two teams in NBA history that have won six or more games in a row by at least seventeen points or more.

The only thing that could possibly slow down Golden State a bit is a thigh contusion to All-Star point guard Stephen Curry, who missed the team shoot-around this morning according to ESPN's Chris Haynes. Curry is officially listed as "questionable" for tonight's contest.

The Magic haven't beaten the Warriors since 2012, but they have enjoyed a significant amount of offensive success in their own right this season. Orlando currently ranks second in the NBA behind the Warriors in 3PT% and total assists. Orlando is a top-5 scoring offense that ranks sixth (again, right behind the Warriors) in the NBA in pace. One of the driving forces behind Orlando's drastic offensive improvement this season is Aaron Gordon, who returns to his native Bay Area as the NBA's leader in three-point percentage (55%).

According to Head Coach Frank Vogel, starting point guard Elfrid Payton is expected to play tonight against the Warriors. The Magic, who have already been playing without D.J. Augustin for over two weeks, were without Payton Saturday night against the Denver Nuggets.

Former Warrior Marreese Speights poured in a season-high 19 points off the bench against the Nuggets on Saturday. In a game in which the Magic will have to keep pace with the Warriors, look for Speights to perhaps be called upon again to provide instant offense.

Update - Per Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, Stephen Curry will not play in tonight's contest. According to Head Coach Steve Kerr, Shaun Livingston will start in Curry's place.

Leave your pre-game and in-game comments here. Enjoy!

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