BOSTON — It may be Chris Copeland Time again.
Mike Woodson said 3-point specialist Steve Novak likely won’t play tonight in Game 6 after suffering back spasms that kept him out of the second half of Wednesday’s
Game 5 loss to the Celtics. That means the Knicks rookie could finally be out of the playoff doghouse.
Copeland started Game 1 in place of injured Pablo Prigioni, looked overwhelmed and hasn’t been in the rotation since. Novak didn’t play the second half of Game 5 because of his back, and his absence, combined with the offense’s struggles, likely will make Woodson rethink the Copeland issue.
Woodson said he has kept Copeland out of the rotation because he never wants to have him and Novak on the court simultaneously because of their lax defense. Novak is having a second straight quiet playoffs. In five games, he has taken just 10 shots, making six, in 8.4 minutes per contest.
Copeland, the league’s Rookie of the Month for April, received two second-place and two third-place votes in the Rookie of the Year balloting. But the fan favorite has often fallen out of favor with Woodson, who often berates him during practices.
* The extension of the series hasn’t done Amar’e Stoudemire any good. In fact, if the second round starts Sunday, it may be tough for Stoudemire to be ready. Stoudemire was going to have an informal scrimmage yesterday had the first round been taken care of, but that didn’t happen as the club game-planned for Game 6. Stoudemire shot, did drills and ran. If there’s a Game 7, it’s doubtful Stoudemire would be ready to suit up. … Tyson Chandler said yesterday his neck feels as good as it has in several weeks.