New York, NY – The Orlando Magic went into Madison Square Garden and battled the New York Knicks to a 105-94 win, stunning the MSG crowd.
The depleted Magic bench dug deep, proving worthy of the challenge, even after the Knicks had beaten them in three prior games this season.
Under the floor leadership of Cole Anthony (24 points), who has spent a lot of time on the Magic bench this season, Orlando was aggressive and energetic on the floor. They attacked the paint on the Knicks’ defense, causing them to collapse and allowing other driving players to get some baskets.
But the star of this game was not any one Magic player, it was their overall defense on the night.
With Orlando missing three of its top players – All-Stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, as well as Jalen Suggs – the remaining boys in blue showed the heart and hustle that a Jamahl Mosley-coached team is known for.
“I can’t say it enough; it is who we are – the next man up mentality, the by committee mentality, not making excuses for anything in any situation is what this group is all about,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “I’m so proud of this group for continuing to battle, continuing to fight, different guys stepping up, different guys stepping in.”
The Magic stifled New York’s offense, covering every switched 3-point shot and challenging every drive to the paint from multiple angles.
After starting the game relatively even with New York, Orlando pulled away in the third quarter, building a lead by as much as 10 points at one point.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came through for the team on Monday. He scored 15 points and provided leadership on the floor. He could be seen guiding some of the younger players and even patting them on the back after some tough misses.
Orlando’s bench helped tremendously in the win, with 19 points from Wendell Carter Jr. and 13 points and nine rebounds from Jonathan Isaac.
New York still had challenges, with Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson both scoring 24 points, but without Karl-Anthony Towns (out with an injury), they did not have all of their firepower.
At one point in the third quarter, Brunson went on the attack, scoring nine straight points against the Magic with brutal inside drives. However, while he was on those drives, the Magic were double-teaming him and jumping on any shooters he dished the ball out to, preventing easy three-point shots.
Josh Hart had nine points for New York, and Precious Achiuwa scored 10 points from the Knicks’ bench, which Orlando dominated, outscoring them 50 to 18.
Orlando next heads home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, January 9th at the Amway Center.
