The defending champion Golden State Warriors are trying to find their footing again after losing three-straight games and finding themselves in 12th place in the Western Conference. They’re set to face the worst team in the East in the Orlando Magic, and must do so in the first of a back-to-back game. Catch this game like at 7 AM on Thursday, November 4 (Manila time).

Away: Golden State Warriors (3-5, 0-4 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Stephen Curry
  • SG: Klay Thompson
  • SF: Andrew Wiggins
  • PF: Draymond Green
  • C: Kevon Looney

On a normal day, you would expect the Warriors to trash the Magic. They’re opening up as big favorites, but this is the first game of a back-to-back set that sees the Dubs taking on a more dangerous Pelicans team. The worry is that their starters will get extended rest, which might make them more susceptible to a surprise defeat.

Golden State have already lost to the lowly Detroit Pistons, who are exactly one spot ahead of the Magic in the standings. They let the Heat sneak back into their last game after getting outscored 30-15 in the fourth quarter, and that was with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins combining for 63 points.

If the starters don’t play much, the man to watch will be Jordan Poole, who only finished with nine points while shooting 3 of 10 from the field and 1 of 7 from three against the Heat. He’s proven that he can get hot at any given moment, and they’ll need his scoring more than ever tomorrow.

Advertisement

Home: Orlando Magic (1-7, 1-1 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Terence Ross
  • SG: Franz Wagner
  • SF: Paolo Banchero
  • PF: Wendell Carter Jr.
  • C: Bol Bol

Paolo Banchero is playing well for the Magic, and he had 20 points along with eight rebounds in the Orlando Magic’s last game, which was a defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wendell Carter Jr. had 30 points and 12 boards in that game too, but the bad news is that his scoring total matched the seven players that came off the bench. That bench performance simply can’t happen again if they want to hope to beat the Warriors – even a load-managed version of the side.

Banchero is averaging 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and a block in eight games so far this season, and he might have a big game if the doesn’t have to be guarded by the likes of Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green. On the flip side, continuing to miss both Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz makes life a little more difficult for the home team.

PREDICTION:

Spread: I think the Warriors likely win, but I like the Magic covering the +8.5.

Over/Under: I think the over 225.5 will hit.