NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking points from the Warriors' win against the Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic v Golden State Warriors
Orlando Magic v Golden State Warriors

Final Score: Warriors defeated Magic, 116-110

After defeating the Sacramento Kings, the Golden State Warriors were on a two-game winning streak and hosted the Orlando Magic at home. The Magic were coming off a win against the Los Angeles Lakers on the road.

The Magic started the game strong and were leading 64-47 at halftime. However, Kevin Durant took over in the second quarter and changed the outcome of the game, single-handedly. Durant went on to post his third 40-point game of the season.

With this loss, the Magic dropped to 1-2 on the six-game long road trip. They will now travel to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers. The Warriors are currently on the second spot in the Western Conference Standings and will now begin their 5-game road trip with the first match against the Raptors. Let us take a look at three talking points from the Warriors' matchup against the Magic.


#3 Nikola Vucevic's double-double

Nikole Vucevic
Nikole Vucevic

Stat line: 30 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and a steal on 57.1 % shooting

Nikola Vucevic has been phenomenal for the Magic so far this season and is one of the key reasons why the Magic fans have their playoffs hopes alive. The walking double-double is putting up big numbers this season and the Magic are currently at the eight spot in the Eastern Conference, fighting hard for a berth in the playoffs.

He stuffed the stat sheet in the game against the Lakers and playing on the second night of a back-to-back, he did not show any signs of fatigue and put together, yet another double-double scoring 30 points and pulling down 12 boards.

Vucevic was very efficient from the field and went 12-for-21. Apart from Vucevic, no other starter scored in the double digits for the Magic and his heroics ended in a loss.

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#2 Klay Thompson's red-hot form continues

Klay Thompson was on fire last night
Klay Thompson was on fire last night

Stat line: 29 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assists and 2 blocks on 47.8 % shooting

While the Warriors wait desperately for Curry to be back, Thompson knows he has to be Durant's sidekick when it comes to scoring and he has been doing his job to perfection. After scoring 31 points in two consecutive games to help the Warriors get back to winning ways, Thompson showed up once again and scored 29 points.

He finished the night shooting 11-for-23 from the field, with a field-goal percentage of 47.8. Klay was also efficient from the three-point range and went 6-for-12 from downtown. Thompson also had 5 rebounds to go along with an assist.

Klay was super-efficient in the fourth quarter and scored ridiculous 19 points. He is averaging 28.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in the last 5 games.

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#1 Kevin Durant's epic performance

Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant

Stat line: 49 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks on 48.5 % shooting

Is there anyone in the league who can stop this guy? It appears like there is none. After dropping 44 points against the Kings and helping the Warriors get the win, Kevin Durant was once again the center of attraction as he had season-high 49 points to defeat the Magic.

In the first quarter, with the Warriors down by four, Durant went coast-to-coast for a huge dunk to cut the deficit to 2 points. That was not his only dunk on the night and in the second quarter, with 7:13 remaining, he had a beautiful two-handed slam, thanks to a terrific pass from Jordan Bell.

The Warriors were down by as many as 17 points at the half-time. However, in the third quarter, Durant exploded for 16 points and the Warriors were able to cut the deficit to only 4 points after the end of three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, it was all Durant's show as he scored 13 points, including a clutch 3-pointer in the defender's face, with 21 seconds remaining.

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