Stoudemire returns to get playoff ready

BOSTON -- The Knicks may have started to become Carmelo Anthony's team in these last few games down the stretch. But in Game 82, Amar'e Stoudemire showed he calls the shots, too.

Mike D'Antoni initially planned to sit his Big Three for Wednesday night's season finale, a 112-102 loss to the Celtics. But then he changed his mind and decided to let Stoudemire play. Why?

"Because he said he wanted to play," D'Antoni said, "and I said 'OK.' "

The game had no impact on the playoff seedings, which are already set and have these two teams meeting in the first round. But Stoudemire missed the last three games -- and hadn't even practiced since April 2 -- with a sprained left ankle and wanted to get some live game action. He also said he wanted to "get into a nice rhythm, get my cardio up to where it needs to be," before the playoffs.

Stoudemire clearly needed the work, as his shot was off and he even missed a wide-open dunk attempt in the first quarter. He didn't quite play all-out in his 20 minutes. He shot 6-for-15 and had 14 points and four rebounds.

Stoudemire had consistent MVP-caliber performances through the first half of the season but has yet to get back to that level. In a game against the Celtics' subs, he hardly stood out.

But the success of the night was in the ankle, as Stoudemire showed no ill effects from the injury he suffered late in the April 6 win at Philadelphia. "It feels great," Stoudemire said before the game. "A lot of treatment over the past four or five days. The last two days was more cardio-driven, so I feel good enough to play. I just want to make sure I get into game rhythm out there and also get in better shape."

D'Antoni, who didn't get any resistance when Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups were told they'd sit out the game, actually said he was all for giving Stoudemire some run despite the initial inclination by most teams to protect their most important players in these types of situations.

"I thought all along it was better that he does play at least one game to get back into rhythm and not just come out," D'Antoni said. "Then you want to be cautious. But if he's 100 percent and they say he's fine, he has to practice anyway, so why not get into the swing of things?

"I thought he'd be practicing like Sunday and Monday and play either Tuesday or Wednesday," D'Antoni added. "When he didn't practice I was kind of hesitant, but he said he feels great, he worked out [Tuesday] pretty hard. So he's ready to go."

Stoudemire's readiness has obvious critical implications for the Knicks in the postseason. But while it's one thing to break a sweat in game action against Glen Davis, it's more important for Stoudemire to get some game time with Anthony and Billups so the three can build on the momentum and chemistry they had in the recent seven-game win streak. The Knicks will practice Friday and Saturday before they depart for Boston to begin the playoffs.