ORLANDO – It doesn’t take an analytics expert to know that 3-pointers count more than two-point baskets – both emotionally and on the scoreboard – and when the high-octane, star-studded Golden State Warriors are drilling shots from beyond the arc foes usually have a difficult time keeping pace.
The Orlando Magic matched the Warriors every step of the first 24 minutes before Golden State awoke from its early-morning slumber and started pouring in 3-pointers from all corners of a jam-packed Amway Center.
Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson combined for 29 points and seven 3-pointers in the third quarter alone as Golden State broke a close game open just after halftime and ran away with a 118-98 defeat of the Magic before a sellout crowd of 18,846.