Magic Defeat Warriors At Cost of Losing Star
February 8, 2007 | Warriors (14-2) @ Magic (10-7)
17 16 36 26 95
21 31 25 26 103
Orlando, FL - Just a day after losing to the defending champions, the Warriors had to face the other Florida team. Clearly fatigued from the previous night's loss, the Warriors sleepwalked through the first quarter, then let the Magic take a 15 point lead midway through the fourth. This led to a long pep talk by coach Don Nelson. The Warriors started playing, and cut the lead to ten. Then, going up for a layup, Point Guard Jameer Nelson (who had been enjoying a career season, averaging 20, 7 and 5, and a monster game with 15 points and 13 assists) tore his ACL, like Spurs star Tim Duncan did earlier this season. He will be out for the season.
Then, the Magic exploded. J.J. Redick and Grant Hill started scoring at will, and the emotions from losing their star PG led them to an amazing 19 point lead at the half. In the third quarter, Nelson was sorely missed, as Carlos Arroyo played terribly. The Warriors came within 8 by the end of the third. However, in the fourth, Monta Ellis' shot was cold, and Arenas kept turning the ball over. The shorthanded Magic hung on to win 103-95, at great cost. The Magic (11-7) are still a likely lock for the playoffs, being 4.5 games ahead of the 7-12 Raptors in ninth place. Still, it is unlikely they will get past the first round. This loss marks the first consecutive defeat this season for the 14-3 Warriors.
Top 3 Players (ORL)
Jameer Nelson: (POG) 15 Points, 13 Assists, 4 Rebounds, 3 Steals, 5-11 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-4 FT, played just 19 minutes, left with injury
Grant Hill: 24 Points, 11 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 9-19 FG, 1-1 3PT, 5-7 FT
J.J. Redick: 23 Points, 5 Assists, 2 Rebounds, 1 Steal, 1 Block, 10-27 FG, 2-5 3PT, 1-2 FT
Top 3 Players (GSW)
Gilbert Arenas: 29 Points, 10 Assists, 5 Rebounds, 2 Steals, 9-17 FG, 4-5 3PT, 7-7 FT
Rashard Lewis: 20 Points, 8 Rebounds, Assist, 1 Steal, 1 Block, 7-15 FG, 2-3 3PT, 4-5 FT
Monta Ellis: 15 Points, 7 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 1 Steal, 7-17 FG, 1-5 3PT
Next Game: @ Hornets