KNICK NOTES
TORONTO – There will be a lot of scoreboard-watching tonight and over the next few days as far as the Knicks are concerned. When they left
Miami dejectedly Sunday night, their regular-season fate seemed all but sealed.
Tim Hardaway’s desperation 3-point chuck from the hip at the buzzer virtually ended their chances of overtaking Miami for the Atlantic Division title. The Knicks were ready to accept their third seeding and potential first-round matchup with Toronto.
But that Hardaway ball seems to have lodged in the Heat’s throat. The Knicks have picked up two games on the Heat in the last three days, closing to one game with four to play. The Heat would win a tiebreaker since they took the season series, so the Knicks have to make up two games.
While it’s still a longshot, it’s not impossible either, especially if Pat Riley’s club continues to choke after celebrating at AmericanAirlines Arena Sunday night as if they had clinched the Atlantic Division title. Since the victory, Miami has been blown out by Philly and Detroit and Riley has threatened to “dock” his players two games of pay.
The Knicks could move into a standings tie with Miami tonight if they beat Toronto and the Heat loses to the visiting Pacers. Miami’s next three games are no gimmes either – at home vs. Orlando Sunday, home vs. Toronto Tuesday and in Charlotte Wednesday.
Latrell Sprewell says the Knicks are hoping Miami “continues to slide.” After Toronto, the Knicks play in Cleveland tomorrow and finish up Tuesday an Wednesday with a back-to-back against Detroit at the Garden and Boston on the road. Most likely, the Kicks would have to run the table to make up another two games on the Heat.
Winning the Atlantic would give the Knicks the second seed and they’d be assured of homecourt advantage in the first two rounds. And it would likely get them the Pistons in the first round instead of the dangerous Raptors. ____ *
John Wallace (ankle sprain) will be activated from the injured list today to face his former club.
C Chris Dudley (bulging disk) said he’ll practice Monday and could be activated for the final two games.
Serena Williams has joined Knicks in their boycott of Charleston, pulling out of a tennis tournament over the confederate flag controversy. The Knicks will break their contract and won’t train there next week to get ready for the playoffs. After exploring other sites, they will stay home.