PORTLAND — In more minutes than usual thanks to another overtime, Mikal Bridges scored more than anybody on the Knicks and hit the biggest shot of his Knicks career.
With his pregame comments of Tom Thibodeau’s minutes distribution as the backdrop — specifically that he wanted less so that New York’s reserves could get more opportunities — Bridges became the hero of Wednesday’s 114-113 thrilling victory over the Blazers.
He finished with 33 points in 41 minutes — about four above his average — and pulled up for the buzzer-beating trey in OT.
Josh Hart was almost responsible for a crushing defeat when he was whistled for violation off an inbounds with eight seconds remaining, when he moved too much on the baseline while trying to feed Bridges.
It led to Portland’s clutch and-1 lay-up from Deni Avdija, giving the Blazers a two-point advantage.
The Knicks then called a timeout and called Bridges number. He delivered at the top of the key with no time remaining.
The Knicks should’ve had the victory won in regulation but blew a five-point lead with about 40 seconds remaining.
How?
They gave up eight straight points to Scoot Henderson, including tying free throws with 3.4 seconds remaining.
Forced to inbounds the ball from their own baseline, the Knicks then only managed a prayer 3-pointer from Miles McBride for the potential winner at the buzzer.
Overtime.
Before that, Bridges had also taken over. After the Blazers took a one-point lead with 3:48 remaining, the Knicks wing scored or assisted on the next 11 points for the Knicks.
He hit a midrange, converted a free throw and passed to Karl-Anthony Towns for consecutive treys before hitting another shot for himself in the paint.
OG Anunoby added 23 points for the Knicks (41-23), but airballed a 3-pointer with about 19 seconds remaining that turned into a controversial play.
The Knicks grabbed the rebound and needed to rush a shot to beat the shot clock, but the referees bizarrely blew a whistle to and allowed the Knicks to in bounds the ball to set up a play.
