Orlando Magic Game Preview: Magic Look to Move to 2-0 on West Coat Trip
It took late game heroics by Jameer Nelson to help the Magic fend off the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night. It will take a better performance on both sides of the ball for the Magic to improve to 2-0 on their five game West Coast trip as the Magic face the struggling Golden State Warriors, who have lost seven of nine, Friday night at 10:30 pm ET.
The Warriors come into the game at 28-36, good for 11th in the West, but can put some points on the board with the dynamic guard duo of Monta Ellis (25ppg) and Stephen Curry (19ppg). The Warriors will have to have big games from both Ellis and Curry as that is the only place where they have an advantage over the Magic, who beat the Warriors by 20 back in January.
Golden State will have David Lee, an All-Star last year who was out in the teams earlier meeting with a bruised back. Lee will give the Warriors much needed help on the boards as he is averaging nearly 10 a game.
The Magic will look to get the ball into their big man Dwight Howard who should have a dominate game against one of the league's worst defensive teams. Howard will face Andris Biedrins who, like most centers, struggles to contain Howard, who scored 22 points and grabbed 17 boards in Orlando's blowout win.
This will be a home coming for Magic guard Jason Richardson who played his first six seasons with Golden State. Richardson has been shooting lights-out his last four games, hitting 17-26 three point attempts. Richardson averages more points against his former team (22.8) then any other team in the NBA.
With the Magic's big front court advantage and with Jason Richardson playing his favorite opponent, I don't see them letting this one slip away. The Magic can ill afford to take these kind of games off if they want any chance of catching the Heat and winning the Southeast Division, as they currently trail by three games.
Magic 106
Warriors 94
