The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers will play Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at 8:00 p.m. on ABC. The game can be live streamed for free by clicking this link; fans of the Knicks can also listen to the game at 98.7 ESPN while Pacers fans should tune in to 1070 The Fan.
Game 3 will be a telling one; in the first two matchups Indiana was able to beat up the Knicks in the post while harassing the Knicks' scorers into inefficient nights. Game 2 was a different story, with Indiana having a tough time putting the ball through the cup and allowing Carmelo Anthony to shred them from every spot on the court.
Another dynamic is being introduced to the series in this game-the return of power forward Amar'e Stoudemire to the Knicks' rotation. Head coach Mike Woodson has said Stoudemire will only play 10-15 minutes, but as the series goes on Stoudemire could help the Knicks combat Indiana's size and give Anthony a breather from the post physicality by slotting him at small forward.
Wit J.R. Smith's shot failing him, Knicks point guard Raymond Felton thinks Stoudemire could be a big boost. "He gives us another scorer, gives us another big guy, "Felton said. "This is a big team we're playing against, so any time we can get one of our bigs back, especially with him because he's a great scorer, we know it's going to help us."
Pacers point guard George Hill thinks that introducing Amar'e into the series could have a negative impact as well, though. Because Stoudemire hasn't played in so long, and the Knicks have succeeded without him, he said it could be tough integrating him back into a winning formula.
"I don't think it's something easy to do," Hill said. "You have to get back into a rhythm and in shape. It takes you five minutes to get out of shape, but probably a year to get in shape."
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