NEW YORK -- The Knicks have decided that Chauncey Billups' strained right knee hasn't recovered sufficiently enough to play in Game 3 of the Celtics' first-round Eastern Conference series against New York, ruling the point guard out for Friday night's game. Knicks' forward Amar'e Stoudemire, who has been battling a pulled muscle in his back, is still considered a game-time decision.
"We were pretty sure he was not playing and we were ready either way," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "It doesn’t change our gameplan honestly. We’re going to play the same regardless of who plays."