Billups almost certainly is out tonight. He strained his left knee in the closing moment of Game 1 on Sunday is listed as doubtful for Game 2 tonight in Boston and probable for Game 3 in New York. Billups wasn’t on the floor at the end when the Knicks got a poor shot attempt from Carmelo Anthony in the final seconds down 87-85, which is how it ended. Toney Douglas would start for Billups. New York was 4-3 without him this season since he arrived in the Anthony trade from Denver. The Knicks need a lot more from Carmelo. He finished with just 15 points on 5-for-18 shooting, including 1-for-11 in the second half in Game 1. He also committed a crucial offensive foul with 21 seconds left. Anthony’s teams have just a 2-7 series record in the postseason and his career playoff shooting percentage of 42 is four points lower than his regular season shooting percentage. He says he is ready to carry a bigger load tonight with Billups out.

Amare Stoudemire, on the other hand, was brilliant with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Yet he didn’t get a shot attempt in New York’s final seven possessions on Sunday. Ray Allen, who hit the game-winning 3-pointer Sunday, led Boston with 24 points. The Celtics played without Shaquille O’Neal on Sunday and Shaq will be out yet again tonight.

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