Mike Woodson doesn’t believe he has held his last morning shootaround of the season.
After today’s morning shootaround at Tarrytown, with do-or-die Game 5 on tap tonight, Woodson sounded very confident the series is heading back to Indianapolis.
“I’m expecting to win tonight,’’ Woodson said. “This has got to be a wakeup now. If we lose, we go home and none of us want to go home. I sure as hell don’t. I think we’re going to show a lot of pride.’’
The Knicks trail the best-of-seven second-round series 3-1 and only eight teams have ever recovered from that deficit. The Knicks never have, and it would be bitter if the season ends on their home floor, where the Knicks posted a 31-10 home record, best in the East.
Woodson said he’s ready to insert Chris Copeland, the popular rookie forward, early in the game to provide a much-needed spark to the Knicks’ dead offense.
“Copeland will play early tonight,” Woodson said. “We still stick him in there. He was in that second unit when we anchored the second game, and we’re going to go back to some of that.”
That likely will mean less minutes for either Amar’e Stoudemire or Kenyon Martin, who is dealing with a sore wrist, as reported in today’s Post.
“He’s going to play. He said he’s fine,” Woodson said. “Kenyon is one of those guys, you’re not going to be able to sit him down no matter what, because this game is important for us to continue the series.”
Copeland has been largely been ignored in this series. Woodson finally turned to him in the second half of Game 4. He promptly hit 2 of 3 3-pointers, then wound up back on the bench.
Tonight Woodson said Copeland will be part of the first wave of the second unit – possibly in the first quarter – as the Knicks look to revive their 3-point game. The Knicks were 8 of 25 on 3-pointers in Game 4.
“I’d like to get out there and help the guys,’’ Copeland said. “I think I can help in a lot of ways. It’s a great opportunity to help the team.’’
Copeland played just 11:52 in Game 4 after being out of the rotation since Game 1 of the Boston series. The unsung former Belgian Leaguer has become a fan favorite.
“It’s a blessing,’’ Copeland said. “I’ve seen a lot of love and support from a lot of people. The city is really behind me.’’
Woodson said Martin is a tough guy and will play through his wrist injury. Martin left the Bankers Life Field House in a soft cast or heavy wrapping around his right wrist. Woodson said he will gauge his minutes.
