Golden State Warriors steal Orlando’s magic

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (centre) goes for a rebound against Elfrid Payton (left) and Ersan Ilyasova of the Orlando Magic in their NBA game in Orlando, Florida (USA), on Thursday. The Warriors won 130-114. (Photo: AP)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry set an NBA record with his first three-pointer of the night against the Magic in Orlando on Thursday — and he was just getting warmed up.

Curry’s three-pointer with 5:42 remaining in the first quarter marked his 128th straight regular-season game with at least one basket from beyond the arc, breaking the record he shared with Kyle Korver.

“This was Steph’s night,” Magic coach Scott Skiles said. “He tricked us so many times. He runs. He stops. He relaxes, causes you to relax, and then he’s gone. That happened at least a dozen times.

“And it’s not like he didn’t do anything else,” Skiles added. “He never gets tired. He just runs and runs and runs. It’s very impressive.” That energy was key for the Warriors, coach Steve Kerr said, a night after their hard-fought victory in Miami.

“Our guys were tired,” Kerr said. “There was no enthusiasm. He just lit a fire under us tonight.” Curry finished with 10 three-pointers in the Warriors’ 130-114 triumph over the Magic and notched his third game this season of at least 50 points.In 34 minutes on court he also handed out eight assists and pulled down seven rebounds.

He now has 276 three-pointers this season — 10 less than the record he set last season in leading the Warriors to the NBA crown.

Curry scored 24 points in the third quarter, including a three-pointer from half-court as the buzzer sounded that lifted the Warriors to a 99-91 lead going into the final frame.

“The three-point shot is like a layup to him,” Kerr said.

“It’s what he does. The half-court shot is like a three-pointer for everyone else.” The Warriors, chasing the NBA record of 72 regular-season wins set by the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls of 1995-96, improved to 52-5.