Boston-The Knicks are used to facing a huge deficit against the Celtics this season.

New York faces another game, playing the Eastern Conference semi-finals showdown with the defending NBA champion. This time, the Knicks found a way to overcome it.

Jalen Brunson and Og Anunoby each scored 29 points before Mikal Bridges stole the ball from Jaylen Brown with the second left in overtime, while the Knicks shocked Boston 108-105 in Game 1 of Monday night’s game.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 14 points and 13 rebounds to New York, losing four games in all four games in the regular season long-term opponents and trailing 20 points in the second half of the season.

"We tell each other. Just keep fighting and sticking together and keep working hard. There won't be a 20-point shot," Brunson said.

Jayson Tatum and Brown both scored 23 points for the Celtics, whose NBA playoff record was 45 and 45, missed a three-pointer and beat a game they seemed to be controlling. Derrick White added 19 points and 11 rebounds.

"In those places where there is motivation, we can't just start the 3s," Brown said. "I think we just settled a lot in the second half."

After a tight right hamstring made him miss the final three games of Boston’s first-round series against Orlando, Jereau’s holidays are back in the starting lineup. He scored 16 points in 39 minutes, but center Kristaps Porzingis played in only 13 minutes and did not return after halftime due to illness.

Game 2 is Wednesday night.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said the missing Porzingis has affected the Celtic approach.

"Obviously, this affects the game with his ability at both ends of the floor," Mazula said. "It's not an excuse. We have a lot of opportunities. ... Hopefully he's ready for Game 2."

The Knicks hit the first time in the OT, hitting the edge of 106-100 through Anunoby's 3-pointer, followed by Bridges' 3-pointer.

Brown tied a three-pointer from his wings, with more than a minute left - his only shot after the arc cut it to 108-105.

This kept that way when Josh Hart made a mistake on 3 of Deep 3. Tatum missed the jump shot, but the Celtics were able to get the rebounds back. Boston called for a timeout for 3 seconds after a foul in town.

But Bridges ripped apart the inbound from Brown to preserve the victory.

The Celtics scored 15 points of 60 points on three-pointers. In the second half, 37 shots were 3. They connected only 10 of them.

Boston led 75-55 in the mid-Q3, but New York cut it to 84-75 in the final period due to a 20-9 run.

The Knicks continued to move forward, scoring the first eight points in the fourth quarter. They ended up tied with Anunobi for a steal and dunk.

Later, the Celtics pushed the ball forward and pushed the ball towards White, 2:15 with a three-pointer to Boston, left-handed 2:15, New York led 97-95, New York led 97-95, and New York led three leads. Anunoby's 3 put New York in second place, but at the other end, the holiday layup tied it up again on the other end.

After Brunson received a payout and free throw from town, the Knicks won in the regulations but missed the short bank shot that Boston rebounded. The Celtics have 0.6 seconds left, but Tatum missed the buzzer's jump shot.

Monday’s win was a good start, but hardly a roadmap to win the series, Brunson said.

"I don't think there is a blueprint in itself," Brunson said. "But as long as we are united, everything is possible."