NBA

Woodson: Knicks goal to silence Celtics fans

Calming the beast inside Boston’s TD Garden is coach Mike Woodson’s biggest challenge as the Knicks face the Celtics Friday night in Game 3 of their playoff series.

It’s the Celtics’ first home game since last Monday’s Boston Marathon bombing. The mayhem in the arena will make arguably the NBA’s loudest playoff venue even more deafening.

But all the Knicks need to do is split the two Boston games to continue control of a series they lead 2-0 after allowing 48 second-half points combined in the Garden pair.

“That’s going to be a main focal point as we go in for Game 3,’’ Woodson said on yesterday’s conference call. “They’re playing in front of their wonderful fans.

“We got to go in and understand that and concentrate on basketball and not get caught up in all the hoopla that is going to surround the game to give ourselves a chance.’’

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The Knicks were 23-18 on the road — Woodson’s best road mark as a head coach. The Knicks beat Boston both times at TD North Garden. It marked the first time Woodson had never won in Boston — as a player or head coach.

“It’s the best team I’ve coached as a head coach from a road standpoint,’’ he said. “That says a lot about the guys in the locker room. I feel good about our road play.

“We’ve had some success with Boston in regular season. The playoffs are different. You got to do everything perfect.’’

Boston coach Doc Rivers said he won’t use the bombings as a motivator.

“We want to win for the city,’’ he said. “It is not anything I am going to use in a press conference or with our players.’’

Said Kevin Garnett, “The emotion is going to be high. I’m looking forward to going home and getting some of that home love. Boston, here we come.’’

* Woodson made an interesting comment about Amar’e Stoudemire’s second-round return on his radio show.

While repeating he’ll be back in the rotation, Woodson cautioned, “If I see laboring, that’s the beauty of our team, if that’s a problem, I can always go elsewhere. He understands that.’’

* Rookie Pablo Prigioni said his right ankle felt only about “75-to-80 percent’’ healthy but the Argentine point guard believes he will be much better for Game 3 tomorrow in Boston.

Prigioni, 36, made his NBA playoff debut in Tuesday’s 87-71 win. Prigioni had five assists and no turnovers in 17:35.

“My ankle is not 100 percent,’’ Prigioni said. “Maybe 75, 80 percent. I couldn’t sit out one more game. I wanted to play. I think three more days Friday, I feel much better than today. I feel really good Friday, I’m going to be much better.’’

* Woodson took a shot at Carmelo Anthony’s recent critics. One Boston columnist this week called Anthony “an overrated ballhog.

“A lot of these people probably never played basketball in their life,’’ Woodson said.

* Tyson Chandler has totaled three points and 10 rebounds in the two wins, still looking rusty after missing the season’s final two weeks.

Woodson said he showed improvement in Game 2 but “He’s still not there yet.’’