MIKAL Bridges stepped up offensively and defensively in the fourth quarter as the New York Knicks eked out a come-from-behind 91-90 victory over Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
The veteran forward scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, including two three-pointers, before making his second straight game-clinching steal as the Knicks established a 2-0 series lead over the defending champions.
Jalen Brunson chipped in 17 points, including two go-ahead free throws with 12.7 seconds left, before Bridges made the defensive stop on Celtics’ Jayson Tatum at the buzzer.
“People always talk about offensive runs, I think you go on defensive runs, as well. You also go on rebounding runs,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau regarding Bridges’ defensive play in the endgame.
“One of the things I really respect about him (Bridges) is his demeanor. He just keeps marching forward. He is also a great competitor,” the veteran coach added.
Josh Hart had 23 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks to lead the way for the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns finished with a double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds.
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White scored 20 points apiece for the Celtics, Tatum added a double-double of 13 poihts and 14 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday contributed 10 markers.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City Thunder leaned on a strong start to dominate Denver Nuggets in Game 2, 149-106, and tie their Western Conference semifinals series at 1-1.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 34 points, Jalen Williams added 17 markers, Chet Holmgren had a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort, and Aaron Wiggins had 14, 12, and 10 points, respectively.
Russell Westbrook paced the Nuggets with 19 points, Nikola Jokic added 17 markers, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon tallied 14 and 10 points, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE:
NEW YORK 91 — Hart 23, Towns 21, Brunson 17, Bridges 14, Robinson 6, Anunoby 5, McBride 5, Payne 0.
BOSTON 90 — Brown 20, White 20, Tatum 13, Holiday 10, Pritchard 9, Porzingis 8, Kornet 6, Horford 4.
Quarterscores: 13-24; 41-50; 61-73; 91-90.
