Start Time: 7:30 PM PT, Oracle Arena
Channel: NBC Sports Bay Area
The Golden State Warriors look for their third straight against an improving Orlando Magic team on Monday night at Oracle Arena. After losing their previous four, the Warriors have won back-to-back games in large part to Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. On Saturday night, the Warriors outlasted the Sacramento Kings, 117-116, as Durant and Thompson combined for 75 points.
The Magic have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA. They have won four of their last six, including an impressive win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon. Nikola Vucevic had a monster game, scoring 31 points, grabbing 15 boards and dishing out seven assists. Vucevic is averaging over 20 and 10 and will be a big problem for the Warriors’ bigs.
The Warriors have owned the Magic, winning the last ten meetings, including the last five at home. Look for this to continue on Monday night.
Injury Report
Warriors: DeMarcus Cousins (left Achilles rehab) and Stephen Curry (left groin strain), Draymond Green (right toe sprain) and Alfonzo McKinnie (left foot soreness) are out. Damion Lee (stomach virus) is questionable.
Magic: Timofey Mozgov (sore right knee) is out.
Golden State Warriors Projected Starters
PG: Quinn Cook
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Andre Iguodala
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Damian Jones
Orlando Magic Projected Starters
PG: D.J. Augustin
SG: Evan Fournier
SF: Wes Iwundu
PF: Aaron Gordon
C: Nikola Vucevic
Three things to watch for
1. Nikola Vucevic against the Warriors bigs
It is clear that Vucevic is the Magic’s best player on offense, combining his shooting ability and effort on the glass. Vucevic averages over 20 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting 40 percent from three-point range. He is a problem for every team in this league and the Warriors’ bigs will have their hands full on Monday night.
The Warriors will most likely start Jones against Vucevic because of his length and strength but it is not a great matchup for him due to his shooting prowess. Jones will need to block Vucevic off the boards and grab some of his own, which has been a struggle throughout the season.
Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney are better matchups against Vucevic on the perimeter but down low, Vucevic could dominate against the smaller Warriors. If the Warriors’ centers can just match Vucevic in points, they should be in great shape.
2. Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant’s scoring barrage
Since Stephen Curry and Draymond Green went down to injury, Durant and Thompson have taken on the scoring load. At first, both players struggled to find their rhythm, often forcing shots that were not there. But over the last three games, both players look much more comfortable in the offense.
Both Durant and Thompson are averaging over 30 points per game over those three games, resulting in two wins. This trend should continue because the Magic have no one that can guard either player.
Both players are doing it in different ways. Durant is scoring most of his points with midrange jumpers and getting to the free throw line. In the last three games, Durant is shooting almost ten free throws per game. Thompson’s three-point stroke is back, hitting 12 in the last three games. Except both trends to continue against the Magic.
3. Quinn Cook is going to have a breakout game
Taking over for the two-time MVP is a huge task but Quinn Cook is doing an admirable job. Cook has been playing well in Curry’s absence, averaging double digits in points. In the last game, Cook struggled with his shot, going just 2-of-11 from the field.
During the postgame show on Saturday night, Cook was shown taken extra shots after the game. This was a very encouraging sign because Cook realized he did not play his best game and needed to be better.
Cook has a very favorable matchup tonight against the Magic, going up against D.J. Augustin. Augustin is a smaller point guard and is someone Cook should be able to exploit with his quickness and shooting ability. Look for Cook to break out of his mini-slump due to a favorable matchup and the extra work he put in after Saturday’s game.