Knicks Secure Second Game against Celtics with Breath-taking Steal from Mikal Bridges
The New York Ballers' Stunning Start against the Celtics
Last July, the New York Ballers demonstrated their commitment to winning, now. In a bold move, they traded four unprotected first round picks and three players for Mikal Bridges, a versatile 6-foot-6 wing player. The Ballers showed faith in Bridges, believing he could be a cornerstone for their team. On Wednesday, Bridges proved his worth, snatching the ball from Jayson Tatum in the dying seconds, securing a 91-90 victory against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston.
Bridges wasn't just a one-trick pony. Despite missing his first eight shots, he scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter, leading the Ballers' comeback from a 20-point deficit in the second half. For the second consecutive game, the No. 3 seed Ballers overcame the odds, taking a 2-0 lead against the No. 2 seed Celtics, the reigning NBA champions.
Bridges wasn't the only one shining in this series. Karl-Anthony Towns, another player the Ballers acquired, tallied 21 points and 17 rebounds. Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson, Bridges' former teammates at Villanova, contributed 23 points and 17 points, respectively. Mitchell Robinson, off the bench, gave the Ballers valuable contributions with a +19 rating in 22 minutes.
The fourth quarter was a spectacle. Brunson's jumper with 1:59 left put the Ballers in the lead for the first time that night. He also made a layup for a three-point lead and connected on two free throws, securcing a 91-90 win. The Celtics had a chance to take the game, but chose not to use their timeout. Tatum was intercepted by Bridges as time ran out.
The Celtics had a massive lead, 84-68, with 8:40 remaining after a Payton Pritchard's 3-pointer. However, they missed their next 14 shots, breaking the streak when Tatum dribbled the length of the floor for a dunk and 90-89 lead with 18.5 seconds remaining. Two days after shooting 15-of-60 (25%) on 3's in Game 1, the Celtics made just 10 of 40 3's (25%) in Game 2, including 2 of 11 in the fourth quarter.
Historically, teams that win the first two games on the road have a significant advantage, winning the series 85.7% of the time[4]. However, the Ballers' past performance in such situations is not extensively documented. Conversely, teams down 0-2 in a series have a difficult time recovering[5]. This series has been a rollercoaster, but the Ballers are in a strong position to advance should they maintain their resilience and determination.
Despite their early success, the Ballers are aware of the risks. In 2021, they lost a series they led 2-0 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Moreover, the Knicks haven't reached the Conference finals since 2000. Conscious of their past, the Ballers know not to underestimate their opponents and will need to keep pushing to secure their spot in the next round.
- Mikal Bridges, a recent acquisition by the New York Ballers, demonstrated his value in a crucial moment, securing a game-winning interception against Jayson Tatum in the dying seconds of their stunning 91-90 victory over the Boston Celtics.
- Bridges' demeanor was tested at the TD Garden, as he went scoreless in the first three quarters before scoring all 14 of his points in the final period, leading the team's comeback from a 20-point deficit.
- In this NBA playoff series, not only Bridges has been impressive, but other key players such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Mitchell Robinson have also shown their worth, contributing significantly to the Knicks' scoreline.
- The Knicks' impressive performance, especially their ability to overcome large deficits, has earned them a 2-0 lead against the reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, setting the stage for an exciting rest of the series.
