Turiaf was unavailable at end of Game 2

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Ronny Turiaf is expected to start Friday night's Game 3 against the Celtics, but according to Mike D'Antoni, he was not available to finish Game 2, which is what led him to go with Jared Jeffries on that fateful final possession.

D'Antoni said Turiaf was limping in the fourth quarter and told the coaching staff his knee was hurting. "In my mind, at that point, he was done for the day,'' D'Antoni said.

Turiaf, who has been wearing a brace on his left knee most of the season, practiced Thursday but seemed to be favoring his left leg. "I think he's OK,'' D'Antoni said. "It does flare up every once in a while. I hope he's OK to start the game.''

Shelden Williams started five of the last eight games of the season at center. But when the playoffs began, D'Antoni decided to go with Turiaf.

It's worth noting that in Williams' six regular-season starts, the Knicks were 5-1. But it's also worth noting that when Turiaf is healthy, he is a much more effective complement to Amar'e Stoudemire in the frontcourt as a shot-blocker, rebounder and ball-mover. And had he been in Game 2 for that final possession, Turiaf more likely would have gone up strong against Kevin Garnett rather than attempt a pass.

Carmelo Anthony insisted if he could do it again, he still would make the pass to Jeffries. "I told him today, 'Get a couple layups under the basket,' '' Anthony said. "I kept throwing it to him, throwing it to him, saying, 'Dunk the ball next time!' It was all laughs, it was all fun and games, man. He understood.''

Knicks fix

D'Antoni praised Bill Walker despite his 0-for-11 in Game 2: "I thought that was the best 0-for-11 performance I've ever seen.''The Knicks will focus on orange in these two home games, with orange rally towels for every fan at the Garden in Game 3 and orange T-shirts for Sunday's Game 4. The players are expected to wear orange socks, which means the playoff tradition of black socks and black sneakers at home is over.