Orlando Magic Outlast the Golden State Warriors
You ever have one of those nights where your two best guys show up to a gunfight with flamethrowers, and you still somehow end up going home with a loss? That was the Golden State Warriors’ reality Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler dropped a combined 67 points, putting on an offensive clinic that should have been enough to cruise past a shorthanded Magic team. But basketball, as they say, is a funny game.
The Warriors, fresh off a three-game win streak, walked into the Kia Center looking to keep the good times rolling. Instead, they got mugged in the paint and turned the ball over more times than a nervous baker. The final score, 121-113, tells a story of a team that got beat up inside, not outsmarted. Orlando, playing without their star Paolo Banchero, decided their game plan was simple: bully ball. And boy, did it work. They outscored the Warriors 64-46 in the paint and basically lived at the free-throw line, hitting an absurd 27 of 28.
Another Magical Night For Curry, But No Victory Cigar
Let’s talk about Curry for a second. He is not human. He put up 34 points, including 22 in the first half alone. At one point, it felt like he was just toying with the Magic defense, pulling up from postcodes they didn’t know existed. Every time he drove, he had two, sometimes three, defenders hanging off him like cheap suits. This offensive explosion also pushed him past Vince Carter to No. 22 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. A historic night for Curry, for sure, but I bet he’d trade that milestone for a W in a heartbeat.
Then there’s Butler, who looked every bit the All-Star, pouring in 33 points and grabbing 7 boards. He was aggressive, getting to the rim and drawing fouls. So, with your two stars combining for 67, how do you lose?
Where Did the Magic Happen For Orlando?
For starters, turnovers. The Warriors coughed up the rock 18 times, leading to 21 easy points for the Magic. That’s like giving your opponent a 21-point head start and then wondering why you’re out of breath. The other part of the equation was Orlando’s balanced attack. Six players scored in double figures, led by Desmond Bane’s 23 points. It was a classic “death by a thousand cuts” scenario.
Every time the Warriors made a run, and they made a few, thanks to Curry’s personal highlight reel, the Magic had an answer. A key turnover, a big shot from an unexpected role player, or another trip to the charity stripe. It was frustrating, it was deflating, and ultimately, it was the difference in the game.
The Warriors wrap up their six-game road trip against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, and they’ll be looking to wash the taste of this one out of their mouths. It’s a harsh lesson: sometimes, even when your superstars are super, the fundamentals are what truly bring home the magic. Or in this case, what allows the Magic to steal yours.
