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Lethargic, trigger-happy Golden State Warriors fail to fire against Magic

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors defends the shot of Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic in the second quarter of the game at Chase Center on January 07, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors defends the shot of Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic in the second quarter of the game at Chase Center on January 07, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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If two days off and the return of Andrew Wiggins and Andre Iguodala was supposed to revitalise the Golden State Warriors, then it certainly didn’t come to fruition in an extremely disappointing 115-101 loss to the Orlando Magic.

Coming off a dispiriting buzzer-beating loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, the Warriors lacked juice on both ends of the floor across the last three-quarters. The returns of Wiggins and Iguodala were offset by the late-minute withdrawal of Klay Thompson who missed with knee soreness.

The Golden State Warriors took a franchise-record 58 three-pointers (excluding overtime) despite the absence of All-Star backcourt Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

17 of the Warriors’ 21 field-goal attempts in the first-quarter were from three, although many of them did arise from good ball movement. Lamb jumped off the bench and right into 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, helping Golden State to a 29-28 lead after the first 12 minutes.

Yet the Magic quickly took the ascendancy in the second-quarter, opening up a 45-38 lead behind some lackadaisical Warrior defense, rebounding and decision-making. It was Lamb who continued to be the brightspot, equaling his career-high with 22 first-half points as he dueled it out with number one overall pick Paolo Banchero.

Entering the second-half with a three-point deficit, Golden State continued to be helpless against an explosive Banchero and an efficient Magic offense. Orlando were 10-for-19 from three at one point during the third which, combined with wasted Warrior turnovers, meant the lead ballooned out to 15 towards the end of the period.

Patrick Baldwin Jr’s third three-pointer cut the lead to nine early in the fourth, but that’s as close as Golden State got with Orlando re-establishing their dominance in almost every facet. The Warriors could count themselves unlucky on a few occasions this season, but this certainly wasn’t one of them as they were simply outplayed by the young, versatile Magic squad.

The 58 three-point attempts were almost inexcusable given the absences of Thompson and Stephen Curry, with the Warriors making just 31% of them. Conversely, the Magic made 13 of their 32 attempts (40.6%) and shot over 50% from the field as they continually attacked a non-resistant Warrior interior.

Next. Golden State Warriors may have dodged a bullet with NBA champion. dark

Golden State have now been swept in season series’ against the Magic and Detroit Pistons for the first time since the 2008-09 season. The Warriors had moved up to sixth in the West thanks to some results yesterday, but they’ve now missed an opportunity since their recent five-game win streak. They’ll close out their eight-game homestand when they host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

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