NBA

Knicks’ Anthony sits out against Miami

MIAMI — Carmelo Anthony thought he was going to play in Thursday night’s showdown in Miami but after shooting during warmups and getting advice from Tyson Chandler, he elected to shut it down.

“He went out and tried to shoot around, but he came in and told us it didn’t feel right,’’ coach Mike Woodson said following the Knicks resounding 112-92 victory over the defending-champion Heat. “This is a long season, a marathon. One game is not going to determine our season.’’

Tyson Chandler said he hopes Anthony sits out until the Knicks return home for the Nuggets game Sunday. The Knicks face the Bulls Saturday in Chicago, trying to sweep the three-game road trip..

“He kept saying he was playing all yesterday,’’ Chandler said. “But that was adrenaline and pride coming into Miami. I told him it’s not worth it. That laceration doesn’t need to bust back open and lose him even longer. It’s important he gets it right. He shouldn’t come back maybe until we are back in New York Sunday.’’

Anthony said he realizes perhaps it’s time to cut down on the Charles Oakley-dive-into-the-crowd-for-a-loose-ball plays after it cost him last night’s showdown in Miami.

“Maybe it’s time for me to stop doing that for a while,’’ Anthony said after receiving five stitches after chasing J.R. Smith’s block into the Charlotte crowd and slicing his left middle finger on a metal container.

Anthony’s finger was bandaged all day and the Knicks called him questionable and a game-time decision. Anthony went through the walkthrough at the Miami hotel, and he told confidants he was leaning toward playing. But, then last night before the game, he shot for 20 minutes on the court, breaking a good sweat. He looked in minor discomfort but was draining most of the shots. Didn’t matter. He came off the court and told Woodson he didn’t feel good enough.

Earlier, Woodson said Anthony didn’t want to play if he couldn’t be a force.

“The concern is if he’s not Melo playing like he’s been playing,’’ Woodson said. “If he says he’s going to play, he’s going to play. I don’t think it will be a factor if he plays. If he makes that decision, I’m sure he’s going to be just fine.‘’

“I feel good about the makeup of our ballclub that if anyone goes down, if he doesn’t play, somebody else is going to step in and pick it up until that guy gets back,’’ Woodson said. “If he doesn’t play, then we have to go on to Plan B.’’’