NBA

Billups out, ‘Melo down for Knicks

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BOSTON — The Knicks might be able to get back into their first-round series tonight vs. the Celtics without point Chauncey Billups, but they can’t possibly even the series if they don’t get back Carmelo Anthony.

Billups is expected to miss tonight’s Game 2 at TD Garden and possibly beyond after straining his left knee Sunday. Anthony already seemed to miss Game 1.

In the wake of his ‘Melo Meltdown and disturbing 1-of-11 shooting in the second half, Anthony admitted yesterday he didn’t realize the Knicks were out of timeouts after Ray Allen’s 3-pointer gave the Celtics a two-point lead with 11.6 seconds left. In fact, Anthony didn’t know until he was informed by a reporter after practice.

Anthony said he expected D’Antoni to call a timeout after Allen’s bucket. Instead the Knicks raced upcourt and Anthony, perhaps not mentally sharp, missed a contested potential, game-winning 3-pointer from the right side.

“I didn’t know, to be honest, and maybe that’s my bone-headed mistake,” Anthony said in the wake of his 5-of-18 showing in the Knicks’ 87-85 heartbreaker. “The shot felt good when I released it. It fell a little short, but I’ve made that shot before.”

Anthony finished 5-of-18 in his Knicks playoff debut, and Billups injured his knee after landing wrong on a drive to the basket in the final minute, leaving him still limping and sore and imperiling his status for the rest of the series.

It was not the night to sing love songs about “The Trade” that was engineered for the long-term future and a short-term playoff run. The Knicks listed Billups as “questionable,” but Mike D’Antoni called it “very questionable” and added there is, “much more probability Friday (Game 3).”

Which means the Knicks will have to live and die with the streaky whims of backup point guard Toney Douglas. It’s hardly the way the organization mapped it out on Feb. 22 when it dealt for the Denver duo.

“[Billups’ absence] will affect us big time,” Anthony said. “We’re losing our leader. At the same time, we have guys who have to step up.”

Billups missed six games with a bruised thigh in March. At 34, he’s not a quick healer.

“At this point of the season, it’s the worst time, the worst thing that could possibly happen, getting hurt in the first round, first game of a tough series,” said Billups, who sat in the seventh row of the stands during practice and hobbled down the steps. “And I know the team really needs me. I’m just frustrated. It’s how the ball bounces sometimes and hopefully I can get back soon. Everything is day to day. Hopefully tomorrow, but I don’t know if that’s realistic. I’m not feeling that great, honestly.”

D’Antoni spent much of yesterday’s media session praising Douglas and defending Anthony’s awful night. The reality of the Billups’ loss is the coaching staff almost prefers Douglas running the show because the club plays at a livelier pace and it wants to speed it up tonight. The Knicks were 4-2 without Billups in March and Douglas started.

“I’ve got extreme confidence in Toney,” D’Antoni said. “ We won in Memphis, won in Atlanta with Chauncey down. I know we can do it. Having Chauncey down, it’s a big loss but we have to deal with it.”

Of equal concern is getting Anthony to arrive for the playoffs tonight. His night was alarming, considering his playoff history; he’s bowed out in the first round in six of his seven seasons.

On his potential game-winning brick, launched with four seconds left, Anthony could have driven the ball because two Celtics got up on him. Douglas, who had made a clutch trey with 38 seconds left putting the Knicks up three, was also waving for the ball, wide open on the perimeter. But this was ‘Melo time.

D’Antoni said Anthony could have done it differently, but supported him.

“I’m comfortable having ‘Melo on the team and letting ‘Melo decide what to do,” D’Antoni said. “He’s the best finisher of games in the last 10 years in the NBA. I’m all of a sudden going to go over [to him] and [say I] don’t like the one choice he made? I don’t think that’s fair to him. We talk about in-game situations all the time. He knew we needed the two. He knows if he’s doubled, he can pass it to somebody else. I’m comfortable with him making that play.

“Would we both like having it back, yeah,” D’Antoni added. “I’m sure he’d be the first to have it back. I’m not going to sit here and second-guess him on what he does best in the NBA.”

Anthony has never done it best in the playoffs, however. Asked if it’s different to make that shot under playoff pressure, Anthony said, “Same deal. I feel confident enough to feel I can come down in crunch time, make a play, make a shot.

“I could have been more aggressive,” Anthony said about his foul-wracked night. “But I’m good. I’m excited about Game 2. We just want to bring our same intensity and focus level we had [Sunday].”

marc.berman@nypost.com