Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby scored 29 points each as the New York Knicks erased a 20-point deficit to beat Boston 108-105 in overtime.
Mikal Bridges sealed Game 1 by stealing Boston’s final inbounds pass with one second remaining.
Celtics build a 20-point lead
The Celtics led 75-55 midway through the third quarter and appeared in control of the Eastern Conference semi-final opener.
Boston then settled for three-pointers and finished 15 of 60 from behind the arc. The 45 misses set an NBA playoff record, according to the Associated Press.
Jaylen Brown made one of ten three-point attempts, Derrick White hit five of 16 and Jayson Tatum went four of 15.
New York claws its way back
The Knicks closed the third quarter with a 20-9 run and scored the first eight points of the fourth.
Anunoby tied the game at 86 by stealing the ball and finishing with a dunk. He later answered a White three-pointer with one of his own.
“There wasn’t going to be a 20-point shot,” Brunson said. “Just keep fighting, sticking together and chipping away.”
Neither team scored at the end of regulation, sending the game to overtime.
Bridges makes the winning defensive play
Anunoby completed a three-point play and Bridges hit from deep as New York opened a 106-100 lead in overtime.
Brown’s only three-pointer pulled Boston within 108-105. After Josh Hart missed at the other end, the Celtics called time with three seconds left.
Bridges read the final play, reached in front of Brown and stole the inbounds pass to end the game.
Boston lose Porziņģis at half-time
Kristaps Porziņģis played only 13 minutes before leaving because of illness. Jrue Holiday returned from a hamstring injury and scored 16 points.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 14 points and 13 rebounds for New York, who had lost all four regular-season meetings with Boston.
