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There is no pity in the NBA, where 21 hours after a staggering defeat in Miami, the Warriors, less Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala, will face off Thursday in the hope of recovering against the Magic in Orlando.
[RELATED: How to watch Warriors vs. Magic on TV and streaming live on MyTeams]
Warriors Pregame Live coverage begins at 3 am in the NBC Sports Bay area, followed by information from the Amway Center shortly after 4 hours.
With Durant and Iguodala tied for the first of five consecutive sets in the last six weeks, the Warriors (43-18) are facing a rather accommodating team in recent years. In four seasons or more under coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors are 9-0 against the Magic.
In addition, the Warriors have won the last 11 games against Orlando, their latest win being 116-110 on Nov. 26 at Oracle Arena.
Orlando (28-34), like Miami, is fighting for a spot in the bottom of the playoff round of the Eastern Conference. The Magic are playing well, bouncing off a four-game losing streak at the end of January to win eight of their last 11 games.
The Warriors can take nothing for granted, however, especially after falling to a Heat team that had lost nine of its last 11 games, including the Suns, tied to the lottery on Monday.
PROJECTED LINES
warriors
F Alfonzo McKinnie
F Draymond Green
C DeMarcus Cousins
G Klay Thompson
G Stephen Curry
Magic
F Jonathan Isaac
F Aaron Gordon
C Nikola Vucevic
G Evan Fournier
G D. J. Augustin
INJURY REPORT
warriors: F Jonas Jerebko (bruise on the right thigh) is listed as probable. F Kevin Durant (rest), G Andre Iguodala (illness) and C Damian Jones (breast surgery) are on the list.
Magic: G Isaiah Briscoe (concussion protocol) is listed as doubtful. C Mo Bamba (stress fracture of the tibia), G Markelle Fultz (thoracic outlet syndrome) and C Timofey Mozgov (knee surgery R) are on the list.
PROSPECTS OF ROTATION
warriors: The absences of Durant (who misses his first match this season) and Iguodala have a dramatic effect on the rotation, leaving McKinnie as the only real kite. Expect Damion Lee and Thompson to get minutes to the little striker.
Curry shot under 40% of the depth in more games (six) than not (four) this month. He is 8-of-28 (28.6 PCT) on the last two games.
Jerebko is expected to play, with Jordan Bell also getting minutes to power (to match Gordon) as well as in the middle.
[RELATED: Why Warriors have solutions to end lull but also trouble applying them]
Thompson defends the player of the month with an average of 23.9 points per game in February on 52.6%, including 50.0% in depth. His 3.7 apg is the second highest of all months of his career.
The Warriors are No. 1 in the offensive standings (116.0), the score (118.9 points per game), the percentage of goals scored on the field (49.0) and assists (29.4 points). They are 29th in points in the painting.
Magic: Vucevic has a fabulous season, averaging 20.6 points per game and 12.0 rebounds, his best team result. He draws 39.3% beyond the arc.
Terrence Ross, the sixth man, continues to run hot and cold. He has totaled at least 18 minutes in his last five games: 3, 21, 15, 28 and 3. He scored in total.
Gordon, from San Jose, averages 15.8 points per game, with 7.3 rebounds. He has scored twice in 25 of the last 26 games. In addition to Ross, Wesley Iwundu and Jerian Grant also played a key role.
Orlando ranks 25th in the standings (105.9 points per game), 23rd in the offensive standings (106.8) and 21st in the PC FG. (45.1). Deliberate Magic Jumpers are 27th at pace and 29th at quick break points and free throw attempts and last last point in the paint.
The officials: Mike Callahan (Chief), JT Orr, Leroy Richardson
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