The Knicks expect Tyson Chandler to play tomorrow night against the Celtics.

The team didn’t practice today, but Chandler came in for treatment on his sore left knee. Chandler banged his knees with Joel Anthony in Sunday’s loss to the Heat and could hardly move in the fourth quarter.

Chandler has been the heart and soul of the Knicks this season, and the leader of their vastly improved defense. The Knicks, who began the day in eighth in the Eastern Conference, play a back-to-back with Boston and the Nets starting tomorrow.

If Chandler is limited and not the same defensive force he’s been all season, the Knicks could have a hard time holding onto the eighth and final playoff spot. They’re two games up on ninth-place Milwaukee and one-half game behind the Sixers, who play later tonight.

Amar’e Stoudemire remains out with a bulging disk in his back and there is no official word on his return. It could happen later this week.

The Knicks have six games remaining.

***

Injured point guard Jeremy Lin is one of six divisional winners for the NBA Sportsmanship Award.

The others are Cleveland’s Antawn Jamison and Miami’s Shane Battier in the East and Mavs guard Jason Kidd, Clippers All-Star Chris Paul and Minnesota’s Luke Ridnour in the West.

The overall winner will be announced after the season.
 

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