Steph pushes through storm to lead imperative Warriors win vs. Magic
Steph pushes through storm to lead imperative Warriors win vs. Magic originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors opened what was heralded as their get-well homestand with two consecutive losses at Chase Center. The Orlando Magic were trying to give them a third Tuesday night, effectively punching another hole in their recovery hopes.
Perhaps no one felt the magnitude of the moment more than Stephen Curry, whose miniature slump coincided with a three-game losing streak that began on Christmas Day in Denver.
If the Warriors were to stop the slide, maybe generate at least temporary momentum, who better than Steph to crush the hopes of the Magic?
Though Curry was profoundly imperfect, he delivered what was needed at all the right times. It was enough for the Warriors to carve out a 121-115 victory before a relieved sellout home crowd.
“From the start of the game, I saw the pictures really well, where help side is going to be,” Curry said. “When I had the ball mostly at the top of the key, I was getting downhill into the paint. That softened the defense. We got the ball moving a couple times and I got some open catch-and-shoot looks.
“Once we stopped fouling, we got the tempo where we wanted it. Playing in transition. That always helps us create good momentum. I thrive in those types of situations.”
Curry’s inside-out tactic, shooting from deep but then shifting his attack to midrange, worked splendidly. He finished with a game-high 36 points, on 12-of-20 shooting from the field, including 4 of 9 from distance.
That production, along with his team-high six assists, more than enough offset a notable defensive lapse, a couple daring passes and substandard (for him) 8-of-11 shooting from the line.
“Steph was amazing, but Steph is always amazing, even when he doesn’t score 36 points,” coach Steve Kerr said. “The attention he draws defensively, what he does to an opposing defense, the way he opens up the floor . . . he’s a…
