SAN FRANCISCO — — Stephen Curry came 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 victory Monday night.
Curry played on a tender left ankle and missed his first six 3-point attempts – starting 3 of 13 from the floor – before finally connecting from deep with 8:20 left in the third quarter to bring the Warriors within 71-69. That was all it took for Golden State to go on a 14-4 run.
The two-time MVP shot 10 of 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 on the first night of a road back-to-back.
Moses Moody scored 20 points for the Warriors, while Brandin Podziemski came off the bench to finish with 16 points, five assists and four rebounds. Draymond Green contributed nine points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes per game after being ejected early in the second quarter Saturday against Phoenix.
Golden State guard Buddy Hield had his 199-game regular season streak snapped in Saturday’s 119-116 win over the Suns, but scored a late 3-pointer Monday. Jonathan Kuminga did not play again after missing the last match due to illness.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr hopes center Al Horford will be back Thursday after a seven-game absence due to right sciatic nerve irritation.
Magic: Visit Portland Tuesday night to complete a four-game road trip.
Warriors: Host Dallas on Thursday for a Christmas Day matinee.
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