Who: Golden State Warriors (10-3) vs. Orlando Magic (8-5)

When: Monday, November 13; 7:30 p.m.

Where: Oracle Arena

WATCH: NBCSBA

RADIO: 95.7 The Game

blog buddy: Orlando Pinstriped Post

That’s six straight wins for the Golden State Warriors after their trouncing of the upstart Philadelphia 76ers over the weekend. Tonight, they’ll conclude their homestand by facing another young team with promise, the Orlando Magic.

The Warriors

The biggest and most important news related to this game is the health of Stephen Curry. Curry suffered what the team is calling a thigh contusion when he collided with Ben Simmon’s knee while trying to fight over a screen.

At time of writing, there is no indication of whether Curry will play or not. As per Anthony Slater, the team did not practice on Sunday, so we should get an indication of what direction the team is leaning after Monday morning’s shootaround.

I feel like I just read the slide during a Power Point presentation. But there you go - that’s Slater saying it.

A game without Curry could be a good test

This season’s toaster signing moment may have been when Steve Kerr declared the official start to the season after the team’s loss to the Detroit Pistons. Since then it has been six straight victories by an average margin of over 21 points per game, with the “closest” game being a 17-point stomping the Miami Heat.

The Warriors boast the league’s best offense. In fact, they’re so far ahead on that front that even considering their 9th ranked defensive efficiency, the Warriors still have the highest net point differential (14.4 points per game).

But Curry is like the extra booster rocket that allows this team to lift out of the Earth’s gravity. It’s pretty much a given the team will struggle a bit more without Curry in the lineup, but this also opens up opportunities for other players to bring a little bit extra.

The team talks big, but as Curry’s team high on/off numbers will attest to, no one helps quite as much as Curry. Expect big minutes for Andre Iguodala and some combination of Shaun Livingston/Patrick McCaw to plug the point guard hole if Steph is indeed out.

The Orlando Magic

Whoa.

The Orlando Magic may actually be turning the corner this year. They lead their Division and are currently holding on to 4th place in the Eastern Conference. Like every other team that faces the Warriors, the Magic probably see this game as something of a measuring stick.

The team seems to play a Steve Kerr-inspired offense. Four players average at least 15 points per game, led by French forward Evan Fournier and San Jose’s own Aaron Gordon — who both chip in about 19 points each.

They run the NBA’s 6th fastest offense, shoot the three ball nearly as well as the Warriors and have the third best assist ratio. So lots of ball movement, and plenty of outside shooting in a fast-paced game? Sounds fun!