NBA

Knicks’ Chandler hunting for mint condition

For the struggling but improving Tyson Chandler, the issues going into tonight’s Game 3 remain his stamina and his rust.

Through the first two games of the Knicks-Celtics series, Chandler hasn’t even been the most valuable big man on his team. Still recovering from missing 16 of the regular season’s final 20 games with a bulging disk in his cervical spine, the All-Star center has scored three points with 10 rebounds and averaged just 21 minutes of action in the series.

“Obviously I’m still a little sore. But it’s not anything that is going to keep me out of a game,” Chandler said yesterday. “I’m good right now. It’s just conditioning and timing.”

Chandler did fare better in Game 2, contributing with a three-point play and a block of Avery Bradley.

“In practice and both games, from Game 1 to Game 2, it was night and day [with] him,” Carmelo Anthony said.

“He looks like he’s back to Tyson Chandler again.”

Chandler, whose minutes rose slightly from 20 in Game 1 to 22 in Game 2, said he would like to play even more tonight.

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“I think each game I’ll get better and better,” Chandler said. “I’ve been conditioning but it’s not the same as being on the basketball floor. I felt a little better Game 2. I’m sure I’ll feel a little better Game 3.”

Chandler’s backup, Kenyon Martin, has been a revelation — averaging 6.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in 25 minutes through two games. The rugged veteran has emerged as an invaluable piece, especially with Chandler ailing.

In addition to his production, Martin — a huge fan favorite — has also provided a physical presence in the post.

“He’s always had great physical toughness, and I think that’s kind of evolved into having great mental toughness,” said West Virginia coach Bob Huggins, Martin’s former head coach at Cincinnati. “He’s got a huge heart. He’s got a huge heart and a big motor.”

Martin also has a terrific playoff history against the Celtics. He is now 10-2 in his postseason career versus Boston (8-2 with the Nets, 2-0 with the Knicks). In 2002, he averaged 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in a six-game triumph, and the next season he was a monster, posting 20.5 points and 8.3 rebounds in a four-game sweep.

A decade later, Martin and Chandler may be on track for another sweep.