MIAMI – Massive trade gains saw most of the Knicks' biggest comebacks from the bench.
Mikal Bridge sat on everyone except some of the fourth quarter possessions, and everyone except overtime in the 116-112 heat on Sunday. Coach Tom Thibodeau explained that he used Miles McBride because the lineup was working.
“I just need to help the team as much as I can,” Thibodeau said. “And I think it helps a lot. One night, maybe it's someone else's night. And that's the guy we had to ride. If we put the team first, that's what we have to do.”
The starting two guard Bridge finished in 28 minutes and struggled offensively with just five points in a 11-2 shooting.
The Bridges, which was acquired in five first-round picks in the summer, were on the bench this season's crunch time, particularly in their victory at Charlotte in November.
He went up and down this season at Biscayne Boulevard on Sunday – the coach turned to McBride after the Knicks fell 19 points in the first half.
Ultimately, it paid off when McBride gave the Knicks the first lead of the game.
McBride also locked up Tyler Hero in possessions that could have won the Miami game in the final 10 seconds of the fourth quarter.
Following the thrilling comeback, Thibodeau praised Bridge's attitude.
“That's what you love about the team. Anyone who has it, we're going to ride those guys a little more,” the coach said. “The most important thing is that the team wins. And Mikal is fully engaged with the team, he does a lot of dirty work for us, and that's been highly appreciated.”
At the end of the fourth quarter, a bridge was inserted for some property, either for defensive purposes or for overtime as inbound.
He had the opportunity to win the game with regulations, but his buzzer beater from the corner hit the side of the backboard.
Jalen Brunson passed the expired hand-snatch bullet to the bridge, making it a hurry and difficult attempt.
The Bridges aren't leading the NBA in minutes per game. He gave up that title to Philadelphia's Tyre Se Maxie after scoring below 34 in six of his last nine games.
His DIP coincided with an increase in productions from McBride, a fan favorite who dropped 12 points on Sunday in a 10-10 shooting.
