Tony Bradley believes Hawks need to hit Knicks in the mouth first

Tony Bradley hadn’t played much for the Pacers in the postseason at that point last year, and he wouldn’t play in the Eastern Conference finals until the second game, but he still watched as Tyrese Haliburton’s last-second heave stunned the Knicks by forcing overtime in Game 1.And Bradley saw how that draining result — the Knicks’ double-digit lead late in regulation evaporated completely — carried over into the next game that Indiana won, too.That’s why Bradley, now a backup center for the Hawks facing the possibility of an expanded role this series, knows the importance of stealing that first game to “set the tone,” which Atlanta will have the chance to do at the Garden when the first-round series opens Saturday.“I think it’s very important to hit them in the mouth first,” Bradley told reporters in Atlanta on Thursday, while adding that the Knicks were “for sure” demoralized by Haliburton’s shot.Bradley, a first-round pick by the Lakers in 2017, was waived by the Pacers in January before his contract became guaranteed, and after a pair of 10-day deals with Indiana that followed, he remained unsigned until the Hawks picked him up earlier this month after an injury to backup center Jock Landale.With Landale now sidelined for at least the start of the series — the Hawks said Thursday that he’ll be re-evaluated in 1-2 weeks — with a right ankle sprain, it’s unclear just how sizable of a role Bradley could have against the Knicks.

In three regular-season games with Atlanta, Bradley averaged 11.3 minutes, 3.7 points and three rebounds per game.For the season, he’s averaging 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds across 10.9 minutes per game.But Bradley has experienced what it takes to topple the Knicks.

And he knows the impact that a devastating blow at the Garden, especially at the start of a series, can have.“Their crowd is, it can be intimidating,” Bradley said.“But it’s fun at the same time.”Josh Hart didn’t hesitate.

Aske...