Mikal Bridges rectified critical mistakes from the fourth quarter in Game 2.
Ballin' Out With Bridges:
DETROIT - Mikal Bridges could've let that rough fourth quarter in Game 2 get to him, after missing crucial shots and costing the Knicks a chance to win. But he didn't. Instead, he stepped up his game in the Knicks' 118-116 Game 3 victory at Little Caesars Arena.
Bridges delivered a solid performance, scoring 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field, 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, and snatching seven boards, dishing out three assists, making three steals, and blocking two shots. This was his most impactful outing of the series.
Much fuss was made about Jalen Brunson and the Knicks' need to improve their ball movement after Game 2. Bridges surely benefited from exactly that in Game 3. "That's how you win games," Bridges said after practice. "You can't do it by yourself, it takes everybody. Just moving the ball, playing as a unit, it's gonna be good looks."
Bridges' defense was also instrumental in the win. OG Anunoby has been the primary defender on Cade Cunningham, but the Pistons have been setting screen after screen on him to get a different defender on Cunningham. Often, that results in Bridges switching onto Cunningham. In Game 3, Cunningham went 0-for-4 from the field with two turnovers when guarded by Bridges. For the game, Cunningham finished with 24 points, but on 10-of-25 shooting from the field and six turnovers.
"I think it's two different looks," Bridges said of their defensive strategies against Cunningham. "Any guy that's going [against us] is gonna get a different look from me and OG. You give really good guys, really good players the same looks, they'll be able to beat it. So just mix it up sometimes, [that] will help."
Cunningham erupted in Game 2 for 33 points. But Bridges and Anunoby have been largely successful in containing him in the other two games of the series.
"With a guy like Cade, you've got to make him work as much as you can," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He's a great player, and it requires your whole team. It's not just one particular guy, but it's everybody working in unison, and to have the wherewithal to continue to do it over and over again and communicate early."
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Bridges has extensive experience guarding Cunningham, with more possessions than almost any other player in the NBA. His role involves closely monitoring Cunningham's movements and anticipating pick-and-roll opportunities. Meanwhile, OG Anunoby utilizes his size, strength, and quickness to challenge Cunningham. The Knicks' overall strategy involves a team effort, with both Bridges and Anunoby playing crucial roles and experimenting with different defensive tactics to counter Cunningham's versatile scoring ability. Nonetheless, Cunningham has consistently found ways to exploit the Knicks' defense, making smart decisions and scoring from all levels of the court.
- Mikal Bridges, with his impressive performance in Game 3, scored 20 points while playing in unison with his team, snatching seven rebounds, dishing out three assists, making three steals, and blocking two shots.
- Bridges' defense against Cade Cunningham in Game 3 was particularly effective, holding him scoreless on four shots and causing two turnovers.
- In the NBA, Bridges has spent numerous possessions guarding Cunningham, identifying his movements and anticipating pick-and-roll opportunities.
- The Knicks' strategy against Cunningham involves both Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby playing crucial roles, experimenting with different defensive tactics, and working together as a team to challenge Cunningham's versatile scoring ability.
