NBA Roundup: Stoudemire may play Sunday, Bulls' Noah doubtful for Game 4
New York Knicks center Amare' Stoudemire practiced on Saturday and is considered to be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Miami Heat.
Stoudemire cut his left hand when he punched a fire extinguisher covered with glass after the Knicks lost to the Heat in Game 2 of the first round playoff series.
Knicks coach Mike Woodson told ESPN New York after practice that Stoudemire might play.
"He looked pretty good out here on the floor," Woodson said. "But again, it's not my decision. It's going to be the doctor's and his decision."
Stoudemire was not available for comment.
The injury caused Stoudemire to have stitches to cover the wound and surgery to repair a muscle in the hand.
--New York Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson said that star forward Carmelo Anthony needs to get in better shape next season, sources told Fox Sports.
The Knicks are a loss away from being eliminated from the playoffs. It would be the eighth time in nine seasons that Anthony has been on a team unable to escape the first round.
"Expectations aren't going to change in New York, you know that," Woodson said. "They shouldn't. Rightfully so. Anthony's going to have to raise his game. He's got to do things this summer to better his game."
The Knicks trail the Miami Heat 3-0 in their best-of-seven series. Anthony is shooting just 34.4 percent in the series, including 1 of 9 from three-point range.
--Chicago Bulls center Joaquim Noah is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after he hurt his left ankle during Friday's Game 3 loss. Noah was on crutches after the game.
X-rays on the ankle were negative, a source told ESPN Chicago.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau sad Noah probably would not play Game 4.
"The thing is, injury is part of the game," Thibodeau said. "You have to have a mental toughness to get past all of that. We've had injuries all year and you just deal with it. If you look, you can find something every night, every game. Shorthanded, regular season, back to back, early start, whatever it is, or you can find a way to win. That's what you need. You need guys that have great will to win, and no matter what the circumstances are will find a way to win."
The injury occurred when Noah rolled his ankle going up for a layup in the third quarter. He stayed in the game briefly to hit two free throws after Sixers guard Andre Iguodala was called for a foul on the play.
Noah left the game later in the period when the pain would not go away.
The Sixers lead the Bulls 2-1 in the series.
