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The Golden State Warriors are on a ten game losing streak, and welcome the visiting Orlando Magic to Chase Center for a Saturday matinee.
GAME DETAILS
WHO: Golden State Warriors (9-34) vs Orlando Magic (20-22)
WHEN: Saturday, January 18, 2020; 5:30 pm PST
WATCH: NBCSBA
Blog Buddy: Orlando Pinestriped Post
The Dubs are currently mired in one of their worst losing streaks over the past 20 years. This is quite a feat considering the team has been relatively terrible outside of their recent 7-year stretch of brilliance.
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Tonight they’ll be without the services of their Core 3, as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green will all be absent with injuries. This game will provide another opportunity for Golden State to assess the progress of their youth movement, while possibly dangling their veteran role players as trade bait.
But can they get win number 10? They will have a decent shot when they face the Magic tonight. Orlando is on the fifth game of their six game road trip, and weary legs could be a factor for them.
We played at lot of games in Oakland, tonight is the first time we play in San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/L3u855NyOM
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) January 18, 2020
Then again, the Warriors are so bad, the Magic’s exhaustion levels may not even matter. Especially considering the emergence of former #1 pick Markelle Fultz, a castaway from Philadelphia’s “process” who is finding a new home as an explosive playmaker.
Markelle Fultz left it all on the floor tonight ✊
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 16, 2020
21 PTS
11 REBS
10 ASTS pic.twitter.com/Rzeo0ccrWI
Paolo Uggetti expounded on Fultz’s comeback for The Ringer:
A mysterious shoulder injury robbed him of his shot, limited him to only 33 regular-season games in his first two seasons, and led to a trade from Philadelphia to Orlando last year. But on Wednesday night, that Fultz—the one roundly mocked and labeled a bust—felt like a distant memory. Fultz, the Magic’s starting point guard, finished the game with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists—his second career triple-double and arguably the best game of his career.
If he gets loose in Chase Center, the Dubs are going to be in a world of trouble. But, it’s also a reminder of the tantalizing potential of high draft picks, a prize the Warriors are beelining towards during this rough season.