BOSTON — Trailing 108-105 with three seconds left in overtime, the Celtics had a chance to tie Monday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Only, as Derrick White's cross-court inbound pass to Jaylen Brown sailed over the defense, New York Knicks wing Mikal Bridges channeled his inner NFL cornerback.
"I was just watching his eyes," said Bridges. "I'm a football guy."
So as soon as the ball found Brown, Bridges ripped it from his arms and took a victory with it.
"Those are big-time toughness plays," said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. "It's a 50-50 ball and just go get it.