BOSTON – Miles McBride felt confident early in the day, appreciating the good looks he was getting, and he was determined to keep shooting.
By the end of the night, he had proven his instincts right.
McBride showcased his best playoff performance, leading the Knicks to a thrilling 108-105 overtime victory against the Celtics on Monday night at TD Garden.
He ended the game with 11 points, which marked his highest in the postseason. He hit four shots, impressively going 6-for-6 from beyond the arc, along with two rebounds, an assist, and steals.
“Honestly, I just keep trusting myself,” McBride shared. “I shoot with confidence.”
In the prior series against the Pistons, McBride had a tough time, averaging only 3.8 points per game while struggling with a 26.7% shooting rate from the field and the same percentage from deep.
The Celtics boast the league’s best bench player, Peyton Pritchard.
In Game 1, Knick’s standout McBride matched up against Pritchard frequently, both looking for ways to shine. Pritchard wrapped up the game with 13 points.
The Knicks are eager to leverage McBride’s abilities, especially since he somewhat mirrored Pritchard’s output, as they aim to address their inconsistent bench scoring which has plagued them throughout the playoffs.
“He’s definitely a fantastic player,” McBride remarked about Pritchard. “He’s accomplished a lot this season, and of course, they’re the defending champions. It’s not just about individual matchups; it’s about working together.”
On the defensive end, McBride was crucial when the Celtics aimed to tie the game with just three seconds left and were down by three.
“Just keep it simple,” Coach Tom Thibodeau advised regarding McBride. “Don’t overthink it, don’t force anything. Let the game guide you. Play to your strengths and handle your weaknesses. He shines when he does that.”
