On Monday night in Madison Square Garden, the Orlando Magic weren’t expected to beat the New York Knicks 103-94 for a road win.

After losing starting point guard Jalen Suggs against the Toronto Raptors in Canada about a week ago to back spasms and the defeat to the Utah Jazz on Sunday at home, it was hard to think that the Magic would steal one in New York’s house after having lost three combined times home and away. Yet once again, they reminded the league that they are dangerous even with their top three stars missing (Suggs, franchise forward Paolo Banchero, and star wing Franz Wagner) and their sixth man (Mo Wagner). Here’s what was different in this outing compared to the other three.

Karl Anthony Towns was Missing

I had to mention this up front for any Knicks fans who might be reading this because it’s a factor. This is not to imply that Karl Anthony Towns has the same value as the three star players and a sixth man, but it was a key factor. The havoc that KAT brings as a center who can shoot when he isn’t dealing with a knee injury is the kind of thing the Magic have struggled with in the other three games.

He averaged over 20 points in the three games the Knicks did win. Monday night was also the only game against the Magic this season where the Knicks shot below 45% from the floor. This implies KAT’s effort to balance the New York offense was reduced. That’s a lot of impact and we aren’t even bringing up Towns as a force in the paint especially when Mo Wagner isn’t on the floor.

But one of the Knicks three wins was when the older Wagner had 32 points off the bench as a force in the front court. What was Orlando missing then?

Cole Anothy Being a Big Factor

Not just in the Knicks series, but through this NBA season, bench point guard Cole Anthony has posted career-low marks that have forced him out of the main rotation.  However, with Suggs out and second-string point guard Anthony Black returning to action after two games dealing with back issues himself, Cole Anthony cracked the starting line up dropping 24 points in over 37 minutes of action.

When the Magic are at full strength, Anthony is supposed to be a force to spark the offense and provide an energetic push on defense to lock down perimeter shooting. During the other three Knicks games, he’s averaged just over six points off the bench. Seeing Anthony step up big to snag a game not only to climb his way back into the regular second-five rotation but to help keep the goal of a high postseason seed alive is a bright spot for Orlando fans. But we can’t forget. . .

Bench Players Stepping Up

Jonathon Issac and Wendell Carter Jr. have also been underwhelming performers this season. With both players dealing with injury (especially Carter who missed time suffering from plantar fasciitis) they have underwhelmed. But the way that they have shot the basketball is what has been problematic. But seeing them both put up double digits in the game is something that has been a big element of the Magic’s wins all season — double-digit scorers off the bench.

The pair combined for four three-pointers and no misses beyond the arc as Issac finished with 13 points and Carter with 19. That is the very thing that makes these guys dangerous in addition to their impact in the paint. The nightmare that guys like these can cause with spacing only happens when they are shooting well. Carter has only hit eight of his first 50 attempts beyond that arc. A 16% shooting to hit all three of his attempts from distance is part of the recipe for a surprise victory. Can they do more shooting and lift the team up down the stretch?

Can they keep the Magic alive during the next three home games? Currently sitting at 22-16 with three games remaining to the halfway point, the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night followed by the Milwaukee Bucks on a back-to-back Friday night, and then the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday are a challenging stent at the KIA Center. That being said, it’s an opportunity to get back in the fight for the third seed of the Eastern Conference with Banchero’s return imminent.