Mikal

Bridges

Bridges was excellent on the offensive end in Game 2. He was 7-of-8 from the field to start the game, but was also finding his teammates as he had six assists. Bridges has had one game with at least 20 points in every round of the playoffs. This one certainly came at the right time as the Knicks were able to take a 2-0 series lead on the road. Twice before has a team won the first two games of the NBA Finals on the road and that team went on to win the series each time.

Bridges continues to shine for the Knicks, who are one win away from a second consecutive series sweep and their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. During Game 3, the Knicks’ wing did his damage from the mid-range and in the paint. All 11 of Bridges’ makes came within 19 feet of the basket, with nine occurring in the paint. He’s been aggressive, and the approach has paid dividends for the Knicks. Bridges will look to do more of the same in Game 4 on Monday.

Over his last seven games, Bridges has averaged 18.7 points on 68 percent shooting from the field. To say that he’s rebounded from his slow start to the postseason would be an understatement. Bridges has remained aggressive, and the improved approach has paid dividends. The Knicks, who have won nine consecutive games, will take a 2-0 series lead to Cleveland for Saturday’s Game 3.

The Knicks shot 25-of-44 from beyond the arc in Game 4, and Hart got in on the fun with a 4-of-6 afternoon. Add in the rebounds, and the Knicks forward finished one rebound shy of a double-double while recording a complete stat line. The hope moving forward is that Hart’s performance in Game 4 will serve as a slump-buster, similar to what Game 5 of the Atlanta series was for Mikal Bridges. Bridges also played well on Sunday, finishing with 12 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Bridges has scored at least 17 points in each of the first three games of this series, and on Friday, he produced his second 20-point game of the playoffs. Since the latter stages of Game 4 of New York’s first-round series against the Hawks, Bridges has looked far better than he did during the latter stages of the regular season. Not only will this version of the Knicks’ wing be required to close out the 76ers, but he’ll be of even greater value in the conference finals. New York goes for the series sweep on Sunday.

The three-pointer that Bridges hit with 4:10 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ Game 5 win over the Hawks on April 28 may not have seemed like much to most observers. However, his efficiency has improved immensely since that shot. After scoring 24 points in the Game 6 rout of the Hawks, Bridges got his second round off to a good start, shooting 70 percent from the field overall and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Given the amount of attention that Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will receive from Philadelphia’s defense, Bridges’ ability to hit open shots will be a key factor in this series.

Bridges was one of several Knicks players to perform well offensively on Thursday. He missed only two shots in his 27 minutes on the floor, and went perfect from beyond the arc before finishing as one of two New York players with at least 20 points. The scoring outburst was a welcome one, as Bridges had not reached double figures in points since Game 2. The Knicks will hope he can remain hot when they open up the second round against either the Celtics or the 76ers.

After getting little production from Hart of Mikal Bridges in Game 3 on Thursday, the Knicks received better efforts from both in Game 4. Hart finished one rebound shy of a double-double, while Bridges (eight points, two rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes) hit a couple of shots early and was nowhere near the liability that he was in Game 3. The Knicks will look to take a 3-2 series lead on Tuesday in New York.

Anunoby had an injury scare during the third quarter of Saturday’s series opener, as he sprained his left ankle on a drive to the basket. While the Knicks forward exited the game immediately, he wasn’t on the bench for long before returning. Anunoby played 38 minutes, and the Knicks will likely need him to take on a similar workload in Game 2 on Monday. If Anunoby is limited or can’t play, Mikal Bridges (11/2/1/1 with one three-pointer) will have to bring more to the table offensively.

Of the Knicks’ five starters, Bridges may be the only one guaranteed to play in Sunday’s game against the Hornets, preserving his consecutive games played streak. However, fantasy managers in active leagues who are rostering Bridges should not expect him to play starters’ minutes. Jordan Clarkson (10/1/4) and Mohamed Diawara (3/1/1/1) are likely to see their opportunities increase in the regular season finale.