MAGICAL CURRY LIFTS WARRIORS PAST MAGIC

Stephen Curry roared back from a rough first half to score 18 of his 26 points after intermission, Jimmy Butler had 21 points and the Golden State Warriors ran away from the Orlando Magic in the second half for a 120-97 win Monday night, Dec. 22.

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Curry played on a tender left ankle and missed his initial six 3-point tries — beginning 3 for 13 from the floor - before finally connecting from deep with 8:20 left in the third quarter to pull the Warriors within 71-69. That was all it took to get Golden State rolling on a 14-4 run.

The two-time MVP shot 10 for 23 overall, making 4 of 13 3s. He had six assists and two of his team’s eight steals.

Paolo Banchero had 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and Desmond Bane scored 20 points for Orlando in the first night of a road back-to-back.