Knicks coach Mike Woodson has bigger visions than just posting a victory today against the Heat in their lone visit to the Garden.
Woodson implored his players to get greedy and shoot for the franchise’s first Atlantic Division title in 18 years. Winning the division allows them to avoid Miami and Chicago in the first round and host the start of the playoffs as the fourth seed.
With seven games left, the Knicks (31-28) are three games behind Boston, which they host Tuesday. The Knicks could own the tiebreaker if they win.
“I’m looking at one thing and one thing only,’’ said Woodson, who is 13-4 since taking over as coach. “That’s winning the division. I’m trying to get this team to understand they still have a legitimate shot to win the division. That means more to me than anything — to be able to host the first round in front of our fans. We couldn’t ask for much more than that. We got a legitimate shot if we continue to win out. If you don’t’ push that and force guys to think that way, you’re in it for the wrong reasons. It will give us a lot better chance to get out of the first round.’’
Woodson has established a strong home-court advantage, which Mike D’Antoni failed to do. Woodson is 9-0 at home. The Knicks, in seventh place, may have better shot supplanting Orlando for the sixth seed because of Dwight Howard’s disk woes. They trail Orlando by three games and own the tiebreaker. A sixth seed should set up a first-round pairing with the Pacers.
* Iman Shumpert said he plans to play despite spraining his ankle Friday. He didn’t test it full-out and probably will go at less than 100 percent.
“I’m just trying to get as much rest as I can,’’ Shumpert said. “ I’ll be fine for [today].’’
Shumpert will draw Dwyane Wade and a little of LeBron James.
Asked why he has no fear of them, Shumpert said: “It’s just basketball. They’re not going to kill me.’’
* Amar’e Stoudemire (back) returned to his first practice and scrimmaged in four-on-four drills, but won’t suit up today. His earliest return is Wednesday in Newark since the Knicks don’t want him on a back-to-back. The scrimmage included guest guard, Michael Dickerson, former Grizzlie and former Arizona star with Mike Bibby.