A video game broke out Friday night at Oracle Arena, and in the
end the Warriors had the high score. Golden State and the Orlando
Magic put on a ridiculous long-range shooting display, combining
for 36 three-pointers at a 54 percent clip. But the Magic’s final
two attempts at three-pointers missed, and the Warriors held on for
a 123-120 overtime victory in their first home game after a
seven-game road trip.
OAKLAND
A video game broke out Friday night at Oracle Arena, and in the end the Warriors had the high score.
Golden State and the Orlando Magic put on a ridiculous long-range shooting display, combining for 36 three-pointers at a 54 percent clip. But the Magic’s final two attempts at three-pointers missed, and the Warriors held on for a 123-120 overtime victory in their first home game after a seven-game road trip.
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Monta Ellis led all scorers with 39 points, hitting 7 of 9 from three-point range. Dorell Wright was 8-for-11 from beyond the arc and had 32 points. The 21 made three-pointers is a Warriors’ franchise record.
Former Warriors guard Jason Richardson made 7 of 11 three-pointers for 30 points but missed a wide-open attempt at the end of OT that would have tied the game.
The hangover from the Warriors’ 2-5 road trip apparently carried over to the first half as they fell behind by 21 points in the second quarter. But once Golden State got it going from deep, it stormed back in the second half and actually had chances to close it out in regulation.
The Warriors had a 101-98 lead and the ball in the final moments of regulation, but Orlando’s Jameer Nelson forced an Ellis turnover, giving the Magic one last chance to tie. Golden State’s Vladimir Radmanovic jumped past Hedo Turkoglu on a pump-fake, allowing him to drain a wide-open, game-tying 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds left.
Stephen Curry had a pass knocked away with Dwight Howard on the final possession of regulation to force overtime.
Ellis began overtime with _ what else? _ a 3-pointer and the Warriors never relinquished the lead. Golden State led 119-116 when Richardson was fouled by Ellis on a 3-point attempt. But Richardson, a 77 percent foul shooter, made just one of three free throws.
Nelson stole the ensuing inbounds pass but was called for a charge attempting to tie the game with a layup. Ellis’ two free throws gave the Warriors a 121-117 lead, but Richardson hit another 3-pointer to make it 121-120 with 11.9 seconds remaining.
Golden State trailed 53-32 late in the second quarter and were down 59-43 after Turkoglu drained a 3-pointer at the 10:53 mark of the third quarter. But the Warriors, who didn’t have the energy level needed to compete with one of the NBA’s elite teams in the first half, suddenly came to life behind the hot shooting of Wright. He had 16 points during a 6 minute, 15 second span in which Golden State outscored the Magic 26-9 to take a 69-68 lead with 4:28 remaining in the quarter. Wright nailed four 3-pointers during the stretch while Ellis and Curry each added one of his own.
What appeared to be a pivotal play followed, but in the end it didn’t hurt the Warriors. Wright committed his fourth foul on a 3-point attempt by Turkoglu, and Warriors coach Keith Smart was forced to pull his hottest player from the game. Golden State proceeded to miss five of its next six shots, helping Orlando put together an 8-0 run over the next 2:26.
_The Warriors announced a special offer to current season ticket holders, promising ticket prices will remain steady if the team fails to make the 2012 NBA playoffs. The club also will refund season ticket holders with 5 percent interest for any games cancelled due to a work stoppage, if the deposit for the tickets are placed by April 13.
_The Warriors held a moment of silence before tipoff to honor those who died in the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami.
_Newly acquired Al Thornton made his home debut. He went scoreless with one assists in eight minutes.
_A handful of Warriors, including Wright, will appear at Lucky in San Ramon on Saturday from noon-6 p.m. as part of Warriors Bake Sale. Lucky is selling 200 cakes that feature an image of a Warriors player, with all proceeds going to “Feeding America,” a hunger-relief charity.
— Story by Jonathan Okanes, Contra Costa Times
