Two days after a monster performance from Kevin Durant lifted the Warriors (14-7) past the Kings, the champs will take on a young Orlando Magic (10-10) squad.
About the matchup…
When/where: Oracle Arena, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSBA)
Projected Magic starters: Aaron Gordon, Wesley Iwundu, D.J. Augustin, Evan Fournier, Nikola Vucevic
How the Magic are doing: Through 20 games, Orlando sits sixth in the Eastern Conference in a season in which the primary goal is to develop young talent.
This summer, the Magic drafted Texas-standout Mo Bamba, pairing him with a young core that includes big man Jonathan Isaacs and San Jose native Aaron Gordon — who recently signed a four-year, $84 million deal.
Despite the youth movement, the team’s best player has been eighth-year center Nikola Vucevic, who is averaging 19.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and one block this season. In Sunday’s victory against the Lakers, Vucevic scored 31 points, adding 15 rebounds and seven assists.
With Vucevic’s recent play and some intriguing young pieces, the Magic could pose a challenge for the champs.
Last time (Dec. 1, 2017): Warriors 133, Magic 112
The Warriors accumulated a league-high 46 assists. Klay Thompson scored 27 points, including three 3-pointers. Durant added 25 points and seven assists.
Things to look for:
Damian Jones vs Magic frontline
In the Warriors’ 117-116 win over the Kings Saturday evening, Jones scored a career-high 13 points, adding seven rebounds in his best game of the season. While Jones earned the starting role in the preseason, his third season has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Through 21 games, he’s averaging just 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 17 minutes.
Last week, he secured just one rebound combined in two games against the Blazers and Thunder — before getting his season back on track against the Kings.
With Orlando bringing a big frontline, Jones will be called on to provide stout defense — meaning a performance like his breakout game against Sacramento will be welcomed.
Kevin Durant is back
Durant’s 44-point, 13-rebound, seven-assist performance Saturday night helped push the Warriors to their second straight win — and perhaps signal that the former NBA Finals MVP is back.
In his last two games, Durant is averaging 29 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, shooting 55 percent from the field.
If Durant can keep his play going, the Warriors will be in good shape once Stephen Curry gets back in the lineup — which is expected this week.