There is no shortage of story lines heading into the New York Knicks game three Thursday night matchup against the Miami Heat, starting of course with the absence of Amar'e Stoudemire, who will miss the game after punching a glass fire extinguisher case and cutting his hand after his team's game two loss.
But the Knicks know that now is not the time to feel sorry for themselves, as winning at home in game three is nearly imperative if they wish to keep hope alive for advancing past the first round of the playoffs.
The series has been mostly lopsided so far, and New York knows one way to make that change is slowing down LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who have combined for nearly 48 points per game in each of the previous contests.
Will the Madison Square Garden crowd be enough to push the Knicks over the top in Stoudemire's absence?
Game Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
TV Coverage: TNT
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