Knicks coach Mike Woodson said if yesterday had been a Game 7, starting guard Pablo Prigioni likely would have suited up on his balky right ankle in the first-round playoff opener against the Celtics.
Woodson said he believes Prigioni will be ready for Game 2 on Tuesday and for the Knicks, that is a good thing. That’s because Woodson started Chris Copeland at the wing, and he appeared hampered by a recent shoulder surgery and seemed a bit overwhelmed in his playoff debut.
Copeland, recently a scoring beast, was scoreless in 12:46, going 0 for 3 in the Knicks’ 85-78 win.
“He could be a little nervous,’’ Woodson said after Game 1 at the Garden. “I started him and started him in the second half. This is big-time basketball and when you never [have] done it, it can be an eye opener. He will be all right. [We will] watch tape tomorrow and we will get him comfortable.’’
Copeland said he could use the few days to rest his shoulder, which popped out in the regular-season finale. He wore supportive tape on his shoulder and a black T-shirt to cover it.
“Could be better, but no excuses,’’ Copeland said of the sore left shoulder. “Rest will help.’’
Copeland said the playoff atmosphere may have gotten to him. “Everybody told me it was crazy and it was,’’ Copeland said.
Prigioni, 36, was inserted into the starting lineup last month as a second point guard and helped trigger a 13-0 winning streak. Prigioni sprained his ankle in the regular-season finale Wednesday and Raymond Felton lost his backcourt partner.
“I won’t rule [Prigioni’s return] out, he’s coming along nicely,’’ Woodson said. “I feel good. He’s running around. If I had to play him, I probably could play him. But I’m going to give him a few more days to make sure he is ready.’’
Woodson chose Copeland over situational defender James White. Copeland had just won Rookie of the Month for April.
“He’s earned that right,’’ Woodson said. “James White has played well for us when he’s been in too. I’ll go with Chris. He gives me something a little different than James gives from an offensive standpoint.’’
* As many predicted, the Knicks’ bench dominated, outscoring Boston 33-4. … The eight points allowed in the fourth quarter broke the Knicks’ franchise defensive record of nine vs. the Nets in 1994.
* The last time Knicks won a playoff series was 2000. One month later, the Nets picked Kenyon Martin with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft over Stromile Swift.
* This is the first Game 1 win in the playoffs for the Knicks since the 2001 first round vs. the Raptors. … Earl Barron, Marcus Camby and Quentin Richardson did not play.