GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni is optimistic forward Amar’e Stoudemire will be available for tonight’s Game 3 of the playoff series with the Celtics.
He’s less encouraged about Chauncey Billups.
Neither injured player practiced Thursday. Stoudemire stayed at home for treatment so driving wouldn’t aggravate the pulled muscle causing the back spasms that kept him out of the second half of Tuesday night’s Game 2.
“You don’t know until he wakes up,” D’Antoni said of Stoudemire’s status.
Billups underwent treatment for his strained left knee. He said he had a cortisone shot and had the knee drained Wednesday.
“Just hoping for the best,” the point guard said.
Love most improved
MINNEAPOLIS — Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, who averaged 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds per game, won the NBA’s most-improved-player award, receiving 400 points from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.
LaMarcus Aldridge of the Trail Blazers was second with 157 points.
The Associated Press
