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Stephen Curry · There is no “preferred time” for opponents to ever go head-to-head against Stephen Curry, but if 16 years of NBA history has confirmed anything, it’s that 29 franchises should hope to avoid drawing one specific calendar date: February 27. Chronicled already for a 53-point “arrival”-type performance in 2013, the infamous double “bang” in Oklahoma City in 2016, and a 50-point showpiece in 2018, Curry eyeballs his next victim, starting by adjusting his sights to a quite-fitting 51-foot buzzer-beater. By that point, the Golden State Warriors found themselves in a 14-point halftime hole, but a message to the NBA’s No. 1-ranked defense had been sent. History’s most celebrated sniper dedicated the next two quarters to verifying precisely why, using a 35-point (on 14 shot) exhibit to begin the Warriors’ climb back, a journey that ultimately closed in victory. Approaching something close to his Most Valuable Player-winning levels over the post-All-Star break stretch, Curry’s greatness against the Orlando Magic encouraged 56 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Closely behind were double-take-worthy marks from the field (16-of-25), from deep (12-of-19), and from the charity stripe (12-of-12), prompting a 15th 50-point game, and a 32.6-point scoring average on said date. · State of Mint