It looks like the New York Knicks will have at least one of their two injured stars back in the lineup Friday night for Game 3 of their NBA playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Reports indicate that forward Amare Stoudemire "should be ready," while point guard Chauncey Billups is less certain with a strained left knee.
The Knicks will be hosting their first playoff game at Madison Square Garden since 2004 when they host Boston on Friday. The two excruciating losses at TD Garden have them in a 2-0 hole, and mean New York has still not won a playoff game since the 2001 season.
"We’re still confident. As they say, and everybody says, it doesn’t start until somebody wins on the other guy’s court," Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. "They held service. We’ve got to go Friday and I’m sure it’s going to be a great atmosphere and Amare should be ready and that right there is going to be all out. And I think our heads are high and the locker room is good and they’re confident, and I can’t wait until Friday."
The Knicks need at least Stoudemire healthy and productive if they are to have a real chance to get back in the series. They will also need to find a way to execute at the end of games. New York led both games late only to watch Boston make all the clutch plays.