NBA

Amar’e likely won’t play full schedule for Knicks

Don’t expect Amar’e Stoudemire to pull off a Highway 66. He is not shooting to play the entire 66-game schedule during this condensed season, and will mull sitting out the occasional game to preserve his health for the playoffs.

Stoudemire broke down late last season, with an array of minor injuries. Then in Game 2 of the first round, Stoudemire suffered a serious pulled back muscle that relegated him to a shell of himself. Stoudemire spent much of the offseason doing rehab of his back.

Stoudemire will play it smart this season, even with the lessened load in the trenches, with 7-foot-1 center Tyson Chandler on board.

“Depending on how the games feel and add up, it may be smart to take a recovery day depending on how we are playing and what kind of approach we’re taking toward that game,” Stoudemire said. “It may be smart to take some recovery days.’’

The Knicks have one set of back-to-back-to-backs and a couple stretches of six games in eight nights.

“You want to stay healthy,’’ added Stoudemire, whose surgically repaired knee caused his $100 million contract not to be insured. “It will be a very impactful season. We got to get our rest and be healthy and maintain rest.’’

Stoudemire already sees the improvement on the Knicks’ defense, which ranked second-to-last in 2010-11, after just six days of training camp.

“Defense is going to take an incredible leap from last year, bringing in Coach Woodson and Tyson Chandler and Jared (Jeffries) is an excellent defensive player. With Carmelo and myself really taking the extra effort to get better defensively, it’s definitely going to be an incredible jump.’’

* Carmelo Anthony returned to practice after missing Tuesday’s sessions recovering from a hyperextended knee injury. It’s the same knee that underwent arthroscopic surgery in May. Anthony said he “absolutely’’ will play Saturday vs. the Nets. He injured the knee in Monday’s scrimmage.

“Resting it really helped out,’’ Anthony said. “It was scary when it first happened. The way I fell down, just that feeling. Anytime I have knee injury like that it gets scary, but I’m good.’’

* Both draft picks, first-round combo guard Iman Shumpert and second-round center Josh Harrellson have been impressive. Shumpert looked electric in scrimmages, with a sweet 3-pointer and was active on both ends. “Shumpert’s playing well,’’ Stoudemire said. “He’s doing a phenomenal job in practice. He’s learning from us.‘’ The burly Harrellson has shown a decent jumper. “So far so good, really good,’’ head coach Mike D’Antoni said. … The Knicks will hold open scrimmage Sunday at noon at the Garden.