Woodson rests Chandler to keep him fresh
Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks sits on the bench with an ice pack on his knee during the second half against the Miami Heat. (April 15, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
ATLANTA -- Mike Woodson's plan was to avoid resting any of his regulars because the Knicks still are fighting for playoff position. But when Tyson Chandler told his coach he needed a break, Woodson gave him Sunday's game off.
He said how Chandler feels is more important than where the Knicks end up.
"I think so," Woodson said. "For him, it is because he's going to log some big [playoff] minutes once we get started, he and Amar'e [Stoudemire] both. If he tells me he's tired, I believe that. I've got to respect that and let him rest."
Chandler has played through wrist, groin and knee injuries, but the reason he sat out Sunday was that he was tired. He said he will play Wednesday against the Clippers and isn't sure about the regular-season finale at Charlotte. It depends on whether the Knicks are playing for something.
"I want to be fresh for the playoffs," Chandler said. "The coaching staff and medical staff thought it would be best for me to get rest here because we have one game in four days, or whatever it is."
After the Knicks clinched a playoff spot Thursday night, Woodson said he wouldn't rest players because they're still fighting for sixth. To beat out the Magic, the Knicks would have to win twice and Orlando, which lost last night in Denver, would have to lose its last two games, including one against the 7-56 Bobcats. The Knicks are in seventh, a half-game ahead of the 76ers, and it's likely they will stay there because of their tiebreaker edge.
Woodson said he wants to use these remaining games to develop chemistry with Stoudemire, who returned Friday from a back injury, and his teammates, and to go into the playoffs playing well. But Woodson said he considered resting or at least limiting Carmelo Anthony's minutes. Anthony didn't want to sit.
"I thought about it and he wants to play," Woodson said. "I'm for that as well. He knows his body, and I'm sure if there is any issue, he'll tell me and we'll back off."
It's possible Anthony won't play in Charlotte, though. "If he wants me to sit out a game, I'll sit out and rest," he said. "But as of right now, I'll be playing Wednesday."
Baron tough in return
Baron Davis, back after missing the previous two games with a stomach virus, got a little feisty in this physical game and had his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 assists in 31:21. "That's the first time I saw him get mad in a long time," Anthony said. "He just picked it up. He ran the team, made some shots, attacked the defense."
Fields finds his shot
Landry Fields, who came off the bench Friday, returned to the starting lineup. He made his first seven shots, including three three-pointers in a 12-point third quarter, and had 18 points.
Jeffries' knee stiffens
Stiffness in Jared Jeffries' surgically repaired right knee likely will keep him sidelined until the playoffs, Woodson said. Jeffries, who will have missed 13 of the Knicks' final 19 games because of the knee, said he'll be fine for the playoffs. He doesn't expect to need offseason surgery.
