INDIANAPOLIS — The Knicks are in a depleted state and the Bucks are chasing them for the final playoff spot, but Carmelo Anthony isn’t making vacation plans for late April.
“I believe we’ll make the playoffs,’’ Anthony said yesterday before the Knicks traveled to face the Pacers tonight. “We want to utilize the next 13 games and days we have off to get everybody right. The guys who are healthy have to stay healthy. The guys not healthy, got to get healthy.’’
Anthony, who said his sore groin is nearing 100 percent, feels he’s finally being used correctly. While former coach Mike D’Antoni’s speedball offense was predicated on creating open looks from the 3-point line, Anthony is now having a field day on the low blocks under interim coach Mike Woodson’s new regime. The Knicks lead Milwaukee by two games following the Bucks’ 112-98 win at Washington last night.
The past four games, Anthony has been on a tear, scoring 28, 25, 36 and 19 points as he feasts in an offense better suited for him.
“Coach Woodson always wanted me to go down there in the post, get to the goal by driving and staying close to the basket,’’ Anthony said. “So the system he’s put in, not really a system but the offense he’s put in, is to get more post-ups to get closer to the basket and from there start inside out.’’
With Amar’e Stoudemire out at least another two weeks and Jeremy Lin out until the playoffs, the offense is focused on Anthony. And he’s not backing down from the challenge.
In fact, he seems to love that word as much as he loves playing for Woodson.
“The challenge is the challenge,’’ Anthony said. “I can’t run from the challenge. I accept all the challenges and this is a different type of challenge, but it’s a challenge to go out there with some of the key guys who are hurt and injured and not knowing what’s going to happen. For me to step up and take up the challenge face to face is a fun time.’’
Anthony said he spoke with Stoudemire yesterday and he “sounds confident he’s coming back.’’
Until then, it’s all Anthony.