What happened: Maxey picked off a pass in the closing minutes and turned it into a basket on the tip-off broadcast carried on NBC and Peacock.

Why it matters: Takeaways finished for points swing tight openers without needing a timeout. Early two-way activity also shapes who stays on the floor for closing possessions.

What to watch: Closing-lineup assignments in the next tight finish will show how much of that defensive role sticks.