Amar'e poised for return to Knicks

Amar'e Stoudemire broke his silence Tuesday, and could be back in the Knicks' starting lineup by the weekend.

Interim coach Mike Woodson said Stoudemire could return from a bulging disc in his back Friday in Cleveland.

"That sounds pretty good," Stoudemire said before the Knicks played the Celtics. "I'll be back soon. I definitely have to get some games under my belt before the playoffs. There's a little hint."

Stoudemire hadn't spoken about his health since he injured his back March 24 against the Pistons. He received an epidural shot March 29 after which he was supposed to miss 2-4 weeks. If he plays Friday, it would be three weeks and a day since the shot.

Woodson said if Stoudemire can't play Friday, he probably will play Sunday in Atlanta. Stoudemire will scrimmage Thursday as his last test. If he feels all right the next day, he will go through shootaround and start Friday night against the Cavaliers.

If Stoudemire returns that day, it will give him four games to prepare for the playoffs, provided the Knicks get there. It also will give him four games to try and build some chemistry with his teammates, especially Carmelo Anthony.

All along, Woodson said he didn't consider bringing Stoudemire off the bench, despite how well the Knicks have played with Anthony at power forward the last 12 games. Woodson finally gave his reason Tuesday night, saying he has to find a way for Stoudemire and Anthony to play together. Woodson said it hasn't worked to this point.

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"As the head coach, I've got to see if this thing is going to work," Woodson said. "You look at the numbers, well Melo and Amar'e it didn't work early in the year and it didn't work with Jeremy Lin. But my thing is I look at things differently.

"Amar'e is a starting power forward, maybe five in this league. Melo can play three or four. Tyson [Chandler] is definitely a starting center in this league. I've got to make it work. I'm going to bring Amar'e back when he decides to come back and he's going to start and we're going to make it work. That's what I'm going to make happen."

It's been a challenge because they both like to operate on the same areas of the court. The Knicks were 12-16, playoffs included, with Anthony and Stoudemire in the lineup last season. They've gone 16-20 this year, but 6-1 under Woodson.

"You got to win," Woodson said. "You got to win. That's the bottom line. That cures everything."

Stoudemire is sporting a new look. He had cornrows for the first time since he was 17 and shaved his beard. Stoudemire wouldn't say if it's his playoff look. He just said he was growing his hair out.

Woodson said consistently it would be up to Stoudemire and the doctors as to when he would return. The Knicks have remained cautious with him.

Back injuries can flare up at any time. Stoudemire injured his last year during the playoffs attempting a pregame dunk and was limited during the Celtics' four-game sweep of the Knicks. Last month, his back just tightened up on him against the Pistons.

Deron out for Nets

The Knicks will be in New Jersey Wednesday night against the Nets, who will be without All-Star guard Deron Williams because of a right calf injury.