First qualifying round of the Knicks in seven years is about to be extinguished. It could end by Sunday evening. Boston has a lead series 3-0, superior talent and any confidence after taking a win 113-96 Friday night in Madison Square Garden.
Stoudemire carried the Knicks extreme, restore their honour after a lost decade, but it is now facing with physiological and historical barriers.
Stoudemire strained lower back was worse Saturday after he played 33 minutes painful, ultimately futile in game 3. He could probably push its way through another four quarters, but the risk-reward ratio is formidable. No N.B.A. team overcame a 3-0 deficit, and beaten-up Knicks are not likely to be the first.
So when he asked if it was worth leaving his body to an another afternoon of punishment, Stoudemire was resisted.
"The future here with the Knicks organization is very promising, and you do not want only hurt by too much right now on the back," he said Saturday. "We have a phenomenal work this year for the time being to make the playoffs." Obviously, we wanted to have a better run in the playoffs. ?
Stoudemire has ceased of declaring of game 4, but he has every reason to believe that it was bent in this way. He said to his type of injury normally required three to four weeks to heal - a point, he did several times.
"It's a tight back muscle," he said. "There is likely to strain more, there is a chance of overcompensation and have another wound." There is definitely some risks of playing with a strained back. "And I'm not sure we want to take this risk now when we have such a great future we."
If Stoudemire came out, the Knicks will be connect Shawne Williams, reclaim the tort of Carmelo Anthony and hope for the best. They will be once again without their playmaker, Chauncey Billups, whose left knee injury has not improved.
Anthony recorded near the Knicks with an explosion of 42 points in game 2, the night Stoudemire was injured. But it was low in game 3, scoring 15 points from 4 to 16 in the field. His six assists team leader were offset by a team-high five turnovers.
The Knicks acquired Anthony for these moments, to save hopeless, situations to mark when no one else does. The swarming of the Celtics defense made it difficult. But whatever hopes the Knicks have the extension of the series now ride on Anthony.
"It is us, man," corrected Anthony. "I would love to sit and say, ' this is me, I can do all the myself.". But it's us. We have to go out there and fight. ?
The Celtics have higher aspirations and motivation more than at the end of this series. Their hearts of older players - Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett - could use the extra rest before the second round. The Miami Heat, their likely opponent, has an advance of 3-0 on the Philadelphia 76ers.
"I do not want have swept away," said Anthony.
The offence was generally unsuccessful since Billups went to the last minute of game 1. Douglas Toney was ineffective Friday that coach Mike of Antoni moved Anthony in the playmaker role - in the second half.
The move makes sense, but it could reduced role marking Anthony.
"I think that everything took much energy," said Anthony.
Douglas is more of a scorer as a playmaker, and this is his first experience in the playoffs. His companion of rear lines, the Landry fields, is a rookie. They have been carefully and predictably dominated the veteran Celtics of Rajon Rondo and Allen rear.
Pierce dominated mainly Anthony, her slightly overwhelming (25.3 points per game in 24), but with a percentage much better shooting (.528 event.)
Antoni has said that fields would remain in the partante, despite an average of only 2 points and 25 per cent of tir. Douglas has been quietly on a painful right shoulder. Another starter, Ronny Turiaf, plays on two painful knees.
"It is important what is the situation," said of Antoni. "We had to play with more energy, more emergency and get it done.". And we can do, we can beat these guys. We believe that and try to do so Sunday. ?
The Knicks are always going to be underdogs against the Celtics deeper, more experienced. But the series could have turned in the final minute of game 1 - when Billups injured knee - and minutes before game 2, when Stoudemire evil back to pre-game warm-up.
Stoudemire was spectacular in game 1, with 28 points and 11 rebounds. As he prepared for the second game, he recalled: "I was so ready to dominate." I was getting going me. ?
He completed his routine way usually, slapping the right side of the spine Board with his left hand, then immersion through his body with his right. This time, "I felt that something in my back," he said.
Stoudemire described the sequence a little embarrassed, realizing a moment of pre-game showmanship was able to evolve the series.
The Knicks lost two close games in Boston despite everything. They are now 3 - 0 down, perhaps to two starters and possibly hours from their end of season.
Whereas where the Knicks have been, Stoudemire considers this race a success.
"Absolutely;" It is no doubt about it, ", he said." "I think that New York fans understand that we have a chance to do something special here now." As a team, the energy around us is a winner mentality now. This is what you have to build '. "
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