STILL A CHANCE: If Tyson Chandler & Co. win their final two games this week, and the Magic lose their final two games, the Knicks can avoid the Bulls and Heat in the first round of the playoffs. (Charles Wenzelberg)
Miami or Chicago?
Maybe not either. The Knicks will take the court tomorrow night in their regular-season Garden finale against the Clippers still with a chance to capture the sixth seed, supplant Orlando and avoid the mighty Heat or Bulls in the first round.
If the dysfunctional, Dwight Howard-less Magic choke, the Knicks would get the beatable Pacers in Round 1.
The Knicks trail the Magic by two games and own the tiebreaker. The Knicks will have to beat the Clippers tomorrow and the Bobcats on Thursday. The Magic, who have already lost to Charlotte this season, will need to lose again to the lowly Bobcats tomorrow and fold in Memphis on Thursday.
Charlotte (7-56) is actually playing for something — trying to avoid posting the lowest regular-season win total in NBA history.
If the standings go unchanged, the seventh-place Knicks likely would face the Heat Sunday in Round 1. However, the Sixers can still pass them, trailing by one-half game entering last night’s match in Newark. The Knicks own the tiebreaker. It is conceivable the Knicks could meet the Bulls if they stay at seven. The Bulls have yet to lock up the top seed.
With game No. 6l on the table, the Knicks won’t be in rest mode against the Clippers — the only team they have not faced this season because of the quirky lockout schedule. Even if No. 6 was out of reach, interim coach Mike Woodson said he wants to blend Amar’e Stoudemire with Carmelo Anthony and center Tyson Chandler, who returns from his one-game rest in Atlanta. Anthony, who wants to play, and Chandler are likely to rest in Charlotte Thursday if the sixth seed is unattainable.
Chandler knows what it takes to make a championship run, knows how to beat the Heat when it counts. In fact, the de facto captain said he plans to gather the team after the regular-season finale in Charlotte to give it a strong message.
One general manager familiar with the Mavericks’ inner workings said Chandler was the key to the locker room during their 2011 title run.
“We have to have a different focus about us,’’ Chandler said. “After that Bobcat game [Thursday], we all need to sit down and understand what’s at stake. I just went through it last year. I understand what it’s going to take to get there. I got to do my job in preparing my teammates for what’s going to be ahead, especially the young players.
“[Stoudemire], Melo, Bibby, Baron, a lot of guys have logged a lot of minutes in playoffs. They understand what’s at stake,” Chandler added. “The younger guys, I got to make sure they understand. We just have to really lock into what we want to accomplish. If you make one mistake on one defensive rotation, it can cost a playoff game.’’
Stoudemire wouldn’t give a preference when asked if he wants Chicago or Miami.
“Both teams are great,’’ Stoudemire said. “Both teams went to the Eastern Conference Finals last year. It’s going to be a tough battle regardless what team it is. We just got to make sure when that time comes, we’re well-prepared for them.’’
The Knicks scouting staff huddled Thursday to watch the televised Bulls-Heat game, reviewing matchups. One Eastern Conference scout said undoubtedly the Bulls are a better matchup, mostly because reigning MVP Derrick Rose won’t be at full strength because of a balky ankle. The Knicks, who were 0-3 against the Heat, also have a good cover for Rose in tough-as-nails-rookie Iman Shumpert, overshadowed by Rose when the two played Chicago high-school ball.
“With Rose not anywhere near 100 percent there really is no other player on the Bulls that I believe can cause problems in every game of a seven-game series with the Knicks,’’ the scout told The Post. “With Miami, even if Dwyane Wade (dislocated finger) is not 100 percent, LeBron [James] is at least capable of carrying them every game of a seven-game series.
“I will say this, though,’’ the scout added. “Both of those teams would love to avoid the Knicks. Especially now that Woody has Carmelo playing like the star they were hoping they traded for. The Knicks could be the most dangerous sleeper in the East.’’
The Knicks, 16-6 under Woodson, still have issues to work out as Stoudemire has some rust to wipe off, specifically on defense. Stoudemire and Anthony looked good together on offense Sunday when they rang up a combined 61 points. But despite Stoudemire’s big defensive play on Marvin Williams’ buzzer-beating dunk attempt, he still isn’t sharp on defense. Tomorrow, with Chandler returning, Stoudemire, Anthony and the Knicks center may get one last crack at coexisting offensively — something lacking this season.
“Offensively we’ll figure it out,’’ Woodson said. “I’m looking on the defensive end to make sure he’s doing the right rotations blocking out, guarding his man in 1-on-1 situations. That’s more important to me.’’
Said Stoudemire: “The way to win a championship is defense and rebounding. That’s an area we’re trying to continue to improve.’’