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Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler were named to the All-NBA third team, announced by the NBA on Thursday. The All-NBA teams were chosen by a panel of 120 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Joining Anthony and Chandler were Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Dirk Nowitzki.

The first team features LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul, and the second team is headlined by Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Andrew Bynum, Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook.

Anthony garnered one first-team vote, while Chandler had none.

You can follow Jared Zwerling on Twitter.

Looking at the Knicks' top lineups from this past season (based on plus-minus), the top three don't include the Big Three of Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler (source: ESPN Stats & Info):

1. Baron Davis, Iman Shumpert, Landry Fields, Anthony and Chandler -- plus-44
2. Jeremy Lin, Shumpert, Fields, Steve Novak and Chandler -- plus-23
3. Lin, J.R. Smith, Novak, Jared Jeffries and Chandler -- plus-21
4. Lin, Fields, Anthony, Stoudemire and Chandler -- plus-20

The best lineup is further proof that the Knicks played better when Anthony operated as the power forward, Stoudemire was on the bench and Chandler became more of a rebounder and inside scorer (areas in which he's more effective than Stoudemire, based on averages and percentages). But the team needs the trio to be on the same page. How can that happen?

Combining insights from ESPN New York's Jared Zwerling and a couple of NBA scouts, below are three different offensive sets that the Knicks should run to play to the strengths of Anthony, Stoudemire and Chandler. They are intended to show how spacing is key and how the plays can be initiated catering to the Big Three's strengths (keeping in mind numerous options can be implemented afterward):

1. The Jeremy Lin-Chandler pick-and-roll. In this situation, Anthony would be on the weakside wing, Stoudemire on the weakside block or short corner and Steve Novak, for example, on the ball-side wing.

If Lin doesn't score, he can pass to Chandler rolling, which will force an extra man to leave Anthony or Stoudemire to double Chandler, making the defense switch and rotate. Then the Knicks will have the advantage to pick apart the defense by finding Novak from three, Stoudemire inside (after his defender leaves him) or kicking out to Anthony for the jumper.

What's key is that the Knicks are smart about their passing and find the open man quickly to keep the defense on its toes.

The four most important aspects of running a P&R are: 1.) a crafty point guard who can score; 2.) 3-point shooters; 3.) players who can finish; and 4.) a standout wing scorer. The Knicks have all four.

2. The Melo point-forward play. Melo would have the ball on the wing, Lin would be at the top of the key, Stoudemire on the ball-side block, Chandler on the weakside baseline corner and Novak on the weakside wing.

Stoudemire could set a screen for Anthony, or Melo could quickly dump it down to Stoudemire and he could go to work in the post. Anthony could always look to attack the middle of the lane right away. If so, he'll have Novak on the weak side; if Novak receives the pass and can't shoot it, he could find Stoudemire popping out for the jump shot after setting his screen on Anthony.

From there, Melo could set a back screen for Stoudemire and get him a look dropping to the basket. Chandler would be inside insurance when the shot goes up. If the ball is returned to Lin, Chandler could become a pick-and-roller.

3. The Melo post play. While Melo is setting up in the low or mid-post, Lin would be on the wing (delivering him the ball), Stoudemire would be on the weakside high post (foul-line area for his midrange jump shot), Chandler on the weakside block and Novak on the weakside baseline corner. The formation of the Big Three would resemble the Triangle offense. Anthony could score himself, but if he's doubled, he can find Stoudemire or Novak for open shots. Stoudemire could also set a down screen for Chandler, who could then curl inside and a pass from Melo would result in an easy two.

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Chandler called the past season "crazy and difficult," based on the lockout, coaching change and all of the injuries, but he's looking forward to training camp where he'll have more time to refine his game, while learning how to blend in with Anthony, Stoudemire and the rest of his teammates.

"It's very important because that's where you kind of get your identify, defensively and offensively," he said after his exit interview at the Knicks' training facility on May 10. "I thought we did a great job of just becoming a good defensive team throughout the season without any of that. When you have a full training camp and say, 'This is going to be our system, this is how we're going to attack people,' it makes it a lot easier."

How the Big Three work together is the most critical component to the Knicks' success next season and for the next three years -- if, of course, they remain intact as a unit.

For Part 1 on ways Anthony, Stoudemire and Chandler can improve, click here.

You can follow Jared Zwerling on Twitter.

Let's face it: The hefty contracts of Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler -- which equal $53 million next season and give the Knicks little salary-cap room -- wouldn't get as much attention if the Big Three played better together.

When all three were on the court, their collective plus-minus was minus-9, and the team's field goal and 3-point percentages were only 45.1 and 26.8. The spacing on the court was sometimes jammed -- mostly based on Chandler and Stoudemire occupying similar space -- which slowed down ball movement and limited good shots from downtown.

Combining insights from ESPN New York's Jared Zwerling and a couple of NBA scouts, here are five ways the Knicks' Big Three can improve in Season 2 together:

1. Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire need to become more willing passers. When they catch the ball in an isolation situation, they tend to put their blinders on and make their focus the basket. They don't demonstrate enough floor vision when they attack.

Anthony became a better passer in his first full season in New York, acting as more of a point-forward, but they both need to learn how to find each other and their teammates. If I'm Mike Woodson, I'm stressing penetration and passing as a combined action they both need to work on this summer. Overall, the Knicks' ball rotation has to improve, and it starts with Anthony and Stoudemire.

2. Anthony and Stoudemire need to get better at moving without the ball. Too many times when one of them catches the rock, the other stands around, watches and hopes for the kick-out pass from penetration. In fact, that sometimes goes for all the Knicks.

Overall, they both need to be more active in halfcourt sets and utilize their teammates to get open off down screens and backdoor cuts. The same movement Woodson demands on defense, he needs to demand on offense.

3. Tyson Chandler needs to be the main pick-and-roller. Earlier this season, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told ESPN New York: "Offensively, he's one of the very best pick-and-roll guys to the rim, where he collapses your defense if you don't put bodies in front of him, and he has those lob dunks."

Many around the league agree with Spoelstra's assessment, especially because Chandler is a bigger presence than Stoudemire. Though STAT can pick-and-roll, his versatile scoring skills need to be utilized more in isolation and catch-and-shoot situations.

When Jeremy Lin and Chandler develop their pick-and-roll game, that should routinely open up looks for Stoudemire. Overall, with more pick-and-rolls, that will limit the Knicks' isolation and stagnant play, and with more defined roles for Chandler and Stoudemire, that will give the team better spacing and scoring opportunities.

Stoudemire crowded the court and limited ball flow, which made it difficult for Anthony, who shot better up to 29 feet when STAT was out of the game vs. on the court (45 percent to 40.9). When Stoudemire was on the bench and Chandler was playing with Anthony, the Knicks scored more than 100 points per 100 possessions (less than 100 with Stoudemire).

4. Chandler and Stoudemire need to both own the paint. Memphis' Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph showed how it's done during the first round of the playoffs.

While the Grizzles averaged 45.1 points in the paint during the regular season (fifth-best in the NBA), the Knicks averaged 40.5 (16th-best). With a Anthony-Stoudemire-Chandler frontline, that has to improve.

While Chandler was always a lock to score in the paint and grab double-digit rebounds, including a couple of putbacks and tapbacks per game, Stoudemire was occasionally an onlooker. Anthony sometimes had more of an inside presence than Stoudemire, who said during the regular season that added muscle from last summer limited the pep in his step.

5. Anthony and Stoudemire need to play consistent defense, like Chandler does.

Scouts agree that Anthony can play D, but he takes plays off to exert himself more on the offensive end, and Stoudemire sometimes looks like a space cadet on the court, appearing not to know his position and then getting burned by his defender.

Stoudemire is the bigger liability. When he was on the court with Anthony or Chandler, the Knicks allowed opponents more than 100 points per 100 possessions, but Anthony and Chandler (with Stoudemire on the bench) kept them below 100 points. With Woodson likely back, his demand for accountability should continue to motivate Stoudemire.

Stay tuned for Part 2, which examines three different offensive sets that could benefit the Big Three and the team.

You can follow Jared Zwerling on Twitter.

If you want to make Carmelo Anthony mad, just ask him if he and Amare Stoudemire can co-exist.

A reporter brought up the stars' chemistry issue on Thursday, and the normally affable Anthony grew visibly annoyed.

"I get tired of hearing, 'Can it work? Will it work?'" Anthony said. "We're here to play basketball. We'll figure it out. I don't think it's something that's that difficult to figure out."

The questions regarding chemistry between Anthony and Stoudemire have persisted since Anthony came to New York last February.

The Knicks' two stars played well in Game 4 against Miami, but by and large, Anthony and Stoudemire have gotten in each other's way.

Just look at the numbers: The Knicks are 32-41 when Anthony and Stoudemire share the floor, including 1-7 in the postseason.

In general, Anthony seems to shoot better when Stoudemire's out of the game because he has more room to create. Stoudemire seems to thrive in an offense predicated on ball movement, while Anthony is at his best in isolation.

Stoudemire was asked on Thursday if things can work out with Anthony.

"It definitely can work," he said. "I feel like we've only been together for a year now.

"It can work, for sure. It's just a matter of us having a consistent year. ... It's been up and down. You can't point the finger at Carmelo or myself for not co-existing because it's been up and down ... since we've both been here."

"I think next season, again, I cannot stress it enough, from training camp throughout the year," Stoudemire added, "it's gonna be great for us."

You can follow Ian Begley on Twitter.

Amare Stoudemire says the Knicks' "Big 3" of Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony and himself ranks "right there at the top" with the Lakers trio of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant, the Heat's Big Three and Oklahoma City's duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westrbook.

Stoudemire thinks the Knicks' trio needs a full 82-game season together before they can be truly judged.

Here's Stoudemire's explanation:

"I think as players with Carmelo, myself and Tyson as a foundation trio -- you can't ask for a better lineup than that in the NBA," he said. "You have LeBron (James), Dwyane (Wade) and Chris Bosh (in Miami), you have Westbrook and Durant and you have Kobe, Bynum and Gasol. But I mean, we're right there at the top of the bunch with (our) trio. I think it's a matter of time for us to really figure it out and have a consistent year.

"When you have players with such confidence and such personality, it's hard when you have a coaching change midseason and it's also hard when you have a trade midseason for us to co-exist and really figure out how we could play together. ... (Next season is) going to a great indication on how well we can play together, how we can do something special."

Do you agree? Are the Knicks on par with OKC, Miami, Los Angeles? Can they show it next season?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

You can follow Ian Begley on Twitter.

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Carmelo Anthony would be open to giving GM Glen Grunwald and the Knicks' front office his opinion on potential offseason moves.

"I would like to stay out of it," he said on Thursday at the team's training facility, "but in order for us to get better, if it's something that the front office needs my opinion on, I'm there for them. But that's why those guys get paid the big bucks."

Based on what Jared Jeffries told ESPN New York's Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco on their radio show on Friday afternoon, Anthony's voice may come in handy. When Jeffries was asked what the Knicks' No. 1 priority in the offseason was he said a backup for Melo.

"I think if we can find a young, athletic three that can come in and kind of give Melo a break," he said. "I think this year, we relied so much on Melo at our three position that if we can get a young, athletic three that can come in and give us some scoring, but also a lot of defense, that will be big for us.

"I feel like because Melo is so versatile, he can move to the four some. So if Amare does get tired, Melo can move to that position. But I feel like if Melo moves to the four, we had to go really small at our three. We go with Landry, we go with Shumpert. If we can find somebody, like a Kawhi Leonard [of the Spurs], a knock-down 3-point shooter at the three that can also play defense for the right kind of price, because this year we have so little cap room, you bring him in. Now you can move Melo to the four and still big at three position."

Do you agree with Jeffries? If not, what kind of key player do you think the Knicks should target in free agency (besides Jeremy Lin), keeping in mind they'll only have a biannual exception for roughly $2 million and then several veteran's minimums for $1.4 million each?

You can follow Jared Zwerling on Twitter.

Amare Stoudemire, the Knicks' wounded superstar, walked slowly off the floor after picking up his sixth and final foul on Wednesday night.

It was the bitter end of a brutal night for Stoudemire.

In foul trouble all night, the Knicks power forward finished 14 points and just four rebounds -- or two fewer than Mike Bibby -- in 31 minutes.

Afterward, he was asked if his injured left hand -- the hand he lacerated by hitting the glass encasing of a fire extinguisher at American Airlines Arena ten days ago -- was bothering him.

"I felt OK. I got hit a few times, but I'm all right," he said.

He couldn't say the same about his team though.

The Knicks enter the offseason with more questions than answers after their second straight first-round exit.

And figuring out what to do with an injured and less-than-effective Amare Stoudemire is just one of them.

There's also the matter of hiring a head coach. It seems like a mere formality that Mike Woodson will be back next year, but nothing's set in stone until Woodson signs on the dotted line.

And then there's the issue of Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire playing together.

The Knicks' two stars played well in Game 4, but by and large, Anthony and Stoudemire have gotten in each other's way for the past year and a half.

Just look at the numbers: New York fell is 32-41 when Anthony and Stoudemire share the floor, including 1-7 in the postseason.

In general, Anthony seems to shoot better when Stoudemire's out of the game because he has more room to create. Stoudemire seems to thrive in an offense predicated on ball movement, while Anthony is at his best in isolation.

Late Wednesday night, Stoudemire was asked if he thought he and Anthony could thrive together.

"There’s no doubt I think it will work. Just have to see what Coach Woodson’s going to do to make it work," Stoudemire said.

Does Woodson have to augment his offense to make it work? With Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin out due to injury, Woodson's Knicks relied heavily on Anthony to score, feeding him the ball in isolation again and again.

Tyson Chandler hinted that that offensive philosophy needs to change -- drastically -- in the offseason.

"I think we have to ... work on an offense with a nice pace to it, a nice flow where everybody touches the ball," Chandler said. "They’re going to get their shots (he said of Stoudemire and Anthony), but we've got to make sure we get other guys involved, get ball movement, and let them finish plays.

".... It has to be a team effort, it cant be individuals," Chandler added, "Because when you play as individuals you don’t get very far."

Lin seemed to run the offense that Chandler was describing when he took over at point guard in February. But will Lin be back next year? He is a restricted free agent next year and is expected to be re-signed.

If Lin is back, can he help the Knicks get past a team like the Heat? Miami isn't going anywhere, so New York will likely have to go through their South Beach rivals if they want to win a title.

Anthony, somehow, is confident that the Knicks can make that happen.

"In the future, I feel good about competing with the top teams in the Eastern Conference," he said. "I do consider our team being up there, top 3, top 4 teams in the East. But we've just got to get better and go from there."

That process will start this summer, when the Knicks enter an offseason with more questions than answers.

You can follow Ian Begley on Twitter.

MIAMI -- The conclusion of the Knicks' season Wednesday night enhanced this burning question: If the team was fully healthy, could they have taken the Heat to six or seven games?

It's one that fans will be pondering over the next few days (even though the Heat were the better overall team), and one that will end with realizing the Knicks do have potential -- the potential to face the Heat in the Eastern Conference finals in the next year or so.

While the Knicks entered the playoffs this season as the seventh seed, they had the talent and momentum of a third seed, having won 18 of their last 24 regular-season games under Mike Woodson and led by Carmelo Anthony's 24.5 points per game on a solid 47.0 percent shooting. Woodson demanded accountability on defense, and when Melo played hard on that side of the ball consistently, it was contagious to the rest of the guys. Remarkably, they made big strides without mostly Jeremy Lin and Amare Stoudemire in the lineup, and then against the Heat, Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Iman Shumpert, Baron Davis and Jared Jeffries all suffered from something.

The Knicks never had continuity, but fortunately Woodson did a nice job with the cards he was dealt. Perhaps if the Knicks did, they could've given the Heat a bigger run for their money. Nevertheless, Melo feels good about his team's chances looking ahead to next season.

"I feel confident in my team and where we're headed, despite everything that happened this season," he said during his postgame press conference. "It's been an up-and-down season for us. We still went out there, we competed, we played with what we had out there. In the future, I feel good about competing with the top teams in the Eastern Conference. I do consider our team being up there -- a top-three, top-four team in the East. But we've just got to get better and go from there."

After the game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra credited Woodson for doing "a heck of a job" with the Knicks and called Anthony "a top-three tough cover in this league." The Knicks have the coach and star player tandem to build from, especially because they're both on the same page and support each other. Now it's about finding "pieces to the puzzle," as Woodson likes to say.

Just like how the Heat's Big Three was able to recruit effective complementary role players, the Knicks' star trio shouldn't have a problem in the offseason pitching for who they may like. Fortunately, two of them, Lin and Steve Novak, would love to be back in New York.

You can follow Jared Zwerling on Twitter.

MIAMI -- Carmelo Anthony has seen it all in this series defensively from the Heat. Just ask the man himself.

"I've seen everything they possibly can throw at me," he said after Tuesday's practice at the Knicks' training facility, "so I've just got to be prepared for it and get through it [in Game 5]."

Erik Spoelstra received some criticism for matching up Shane Battier, instead of LeBron James, with Anthony in the fourth quarter during the Heat's Game 4 loss on Sunday, and deservingly so. While Spoelstra and Mike Woodson have given Battier credit for his defense on Anthony in the series, the numbers don't lie. Anthony has been shooting 52.6 percent against Battier in the series, but only 29.3 percent against James. Here's a breakdown:

Anthony Vs. Defender
Defender -- Field goals | Field goal percentage | Points

LeBron James -- 12-for-41 | 29.3 percent | 31 points
Shane Battier -- 20-for-38 | 52.6 percent | 56 points
Dwyane Wade -- 3-for-7 | 42.9 percent | 13 points
Udonis Haslem -- 1-for-4 | 25 percent | 2 points
Mario Chalmers -- 1-for-1 | 100.0 percent | 2 points
Chris Bosh -- 0-for-1 | 0.0 percent | 0 points
Mike Miller -- 0-for-1 | 0.0 percent | 0 points

Source: ESPN Stats & Info

There aren't many players in the NBA who can match up physically and athletically with the Knicks' star, but James can, and he has made Anthony's catches and drives difficult in the series so far. Another layer of James' preparation going into Game 5 is to limit Melo's looks at the rim on the fastbreak.

"We had two or three turnovers in the third and fourth quarter [of Game 4] where he was able to get out in transition and get a couple and ones," James said. "We feel like if he's getting layups then his jumper starts to feel real good. If we keep him out of transition and make him take contested jumpers like we did in the first three games, we'll give ourselves a better chance to win."

In Game 5, Anthony better hope his quick-release jumpshot is on, like in Game 2 in Miami, when he scored 30 points on 12-for-26 shooting. Melo is a rhythm shooter, so the first quarter is especially important for him to get going. The Heat's emphasis on closing out the series should be enough motivation for James to put constant pressure on Anthony, especially down the stretch. In addition, as Anthony pointed out, the Heat will throw "everything" his way.

"They're definitely going to try to close it out," Anthony said. "I'm pretty sure that's going to be their mindset. Our mindset is survival, to go down there and try to get another game. We can't turn the ball over on the road against that team, especially down there. We just want to do what we've got to do to win this basketball game, regardless of what it is."

Woodson expects changes from the Heat defensively in Game 5, but he didn't say whether or not that would be more James on Anthony. But chances are, that's the case, and that's something he and his staff are likely discussing right now in the pregame locker room.

"They're going to adjust," Woodson said. "I mean, the defense has been great both ways and Melo's had a couple breakout games. But, hey, Melo's Melo. He's still got to play at a high level and Miami will make adjustments just like we will try to make our adjustments as well. We just hope that Melo and Amare and the supporting staff are all geared up and playing at a high level to help us win a game tomorrow night."

You can follow Jared Zwerling on Twitter.

Interim coach Mike Woodson denied a report that he and the team have begun discussions on removing his interim tag and hiring him for next season.

"That's not true, not at all," he said after practice Tuesday.

The New York Daily News reported Tuesday that Woodson and the team have had preliminary discussions to do just that.

When asked Tuesday if he was denying that conversations between either him or his representatives and the Knicks had taken place, Woodson said "Absolutely. ... We have not."

Woodson replaced Mike D'Antoni March 15 and led the Knicks to an 18-6 finish to the regular season. The team is down 3-1 to the Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Daily News reported that Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan met with Woodson for 45 minutes Sunday before the Knicks' Game 4 victory, but the coach denied that a conversation had taken place.

"Not at all, not at all, no, I have not," he said.

Woodson, 53, has repeatedly said that he would "love" the opportunity to coach the Knicks for a full season. He was asked if he felt he had done enough to earn the job.

"I don't look at it like that," he said. "I went 53-29 (in 2009-10) in Atlanta and was out of a job. So I don't look at it that way. What's going to happen will happen. Right now I do have a job and I'm coaching the New York Knicks. They gave me that opportunity and I'm just trying to make the most of it. Right now the job is not completed."

On Tuesday, both Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire said they were in support of Woodson returning.

For the full news story, click here.

You can follow Ian Begley on Twitter.

Every weekday morning throughout the season, ESPNNewYork.com will tackle a burning question about the Knicks in our "Opening Tip" segment.

Today's Burning Question: Do you expect LeBron James to guard Carmelo Anthony more in Game 5, especially in the fourth quarter?

During a media conference call Monday morning, Mike Woodson said he was not surprised that Shane Battier was matched up with Carmelo Anthony down the stretch in Game 4. In the three previous games, that was mostly LeBron James.

"Battier's a pretty damn good defender and LeBron has gotten much better defending, too," Woodson said. "They could've gone either way. I mean, I think they had the matchup that they wanted, and Melo was just unbelievable. That's all I can tell you. He took it to another level, which was fun to watch and we're going to need that and more when we go to Miami."

After Sunday's loss, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he wanted to go small, putting James on Tyson Chandler, most likely to force the Knicks to play more through Anthony by cutting off the center's ability to catch passes inside and hurt the Heat on the offensive glass. Overall, Spoelstra said his decision to put Battier on Melo had nothing to do with the outcome.

"We still had enough opportunities to win this game regardless of who was guarding Anthony," he said. "He made some big shots and [Mike] Bibby made a big shot and [J.R.] Smith made a couple of big shots. So we have to regroup. You have to give them credit. We'll get back at this for Wednesday."

While both coaches gave Battier credit for his defense, the numbers don't lie. Anthony has been shooting around 50 percent against Battier in the series, but around 30 percent against James. The advantage James has is his 6-8, 265-pound size against Melo, who's 6-8, 230. There aren't many players in the NBA who can match up physically and athletically with the Knicks' star, but James can.

James, as Woodson mentioned, has improved defensively this season -- he did come in fourth in DPOY voting (and arguably should've been higher) -- and he's done a great job making it tough for Anthony to catch the ball and drive to the basket. James has made Melo expend more energy dribbling because he's forcing him to attack in a slight U-shape, rather than a direct line off of his triple-threat position. James has forced him into more jumpshots and has limited his post-up scoring. On the flip side, Melo scored from the block consistently against Battier in the fourth quarter Sunday afternoon and drew fouls to get to the line.

With the Heat's intent to not bring the series back to New York for Game 6 -- they know the already hostile Garden crowd will be much louder then and will create a more challenging atmosphere -- expect James to take on the challenge of guarding Anthony in the second half and fourth quarter Wednesday night. The emphasis on closing out the series should be enough motivation for James.

For Anthony to really make James pay is his jumpshot has to be on, which will force James to have to play up him more. Then, Melo has the quickness to drive by him. Because James moves like a crab in every direction, he hardly ever looks out of place and, therefore, hardly ever gets into foul trouble, so Melo will have to be extremely efficient in Game 5. And, again, that starts with his jumpshot, which was way off of the mark in Games 1 and 3.

Do you expect James on Melo more in Game 5, and how do you see that matchup playing out? Leave us your comments below.

You can follow Jared Zwerling on Twitter.

The smile grew on Mike Woodson’s face before the question about Mike Bibby had even finished being asked.

The Knicks' interim head coach has never wavered in how much he trusts the veteran point guard, who nailed a huge 3-pointer to give the Knicks a lead with 1:23 left and his team trying to fight off a first-round sweep to Miami.

“The guy’s been around a long time,” said Woodson, who coached Bibby for two seasons in Atlanta. “He’s still got the heart of steel, man, to make big shots. He’s still capable. He’s not as quick, as fast, as he used to be but he’s still capable of running a team and doing all the necessary things to help you win games. His shot was huge. It was a big 3 that put us up. I kind of expect that from him. He’s been around awhile so I’m comfortable with him.”

Woodson will need Bibby now more than ever after Baron Davis dislocated his right knee with 5:15 left in the third quarter. Bibby, who hit two 3-pointers and finished with 6 points and 5 boards, said that his thoughts were first with Davis but also acknowledged that he has played in big games before, most notably with the Sacramento Kings.

Bibby’s shot in the fourth quarter put New York ahead 84-81. The play started when Carmelo Anthony was double-teamed in the post. Anthony kicked the ball out to J.R. Smith, who then found Bibby open in the corner.

“That’s what I do,” Bibby said. “If everything leaves me, I’ll be able to shoot still. So I’m happy I made the shot but most of all I’m happy that we won.”

Injuries have crushed the Knicks back court. Jeremy Lin underwent surgery to repair a small chronic tear in his left meniscus on April 2. Iman Shumpert tore the ACL in his left knee in Game 1, in a play that was similar to Davis’ injury in that both players went down without being touched by a defender.

Davis crumbled to the court on a scary play in the third quarter and was carried out on a stretcher. Bibby played the remaining five minutes of the third and the entire fourth quarter. He is likely to play heavy minutes in Game 5 in Miami on Wednesday.

“It’s tough to see a player go down and we’ve had a number of them this year,” Woodson said. “It’s an important part of the game and you can’t control that part of it. I look at it from the positive standpoint in that, we have a group of guys that wear Knick uniforms that are hungry and somebody had to step up and make plays and I thought Mike Bibby was that guy tonight.”

You can follow Christopher Hunt on Twitter.

The door remains open for Jeremy Lin's return to the Knicks-Heat series.

The Knicks say Lin's status is uncertain for Game 5. But, if the 23-year-old makes it through team workouts prior to tipoff on Wednesday, there is a possibility he could return to the floor. Lin hasn't played since March 24 due to a small meniscus tear in his left knee.

Click here to read the rest of our news story.

You can follow Ian Begley on Twitter.

The New York Knicks' organization had waited 4,024 days for this.

New York snapped an NBA-record 13-game playoff losing streak -- which spanned 4,024 days -- on Sunday when it pulled out a thrilling, 89-87, win over the Miami Heat in Game 4 of their first-round series.

"It’s about time. This team is good enough to win [playoff] games," interim coach Mike Woodson said. "There’s no doubt. We’ve proved we can beat anybody in this league."

The win may have been doubly significant for Woodson. The fact that Woodson won a playoff game will no doubt factor in to the Knicks' decision on whether or not to bring him back next season.

But that's a decision for another day.

On Sunday, the Knicks soaked in the screams of the sold-out Garden crowd after Dwyane Wade's potential game-winner bounced off the rim.

"The fans were tremendous tonight," Carmelo Anthony said after scoring 41 points -- 12 in the fourth quarter -- to lead the Knicks. "Despite all the stuff that is going on with our team, for us to come together and win this playoff game tonight, it was a great feeling."

Amare Stoudemire complimented the fans, some of whom had endured 10 seasons without a playoff win.

Stoudemire played a key role in the win by scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds against Miami.

He was a game-time decision before tipoff because of the laceration to his left hand. He suffered the self-inflicted injury on Monday night after hitting the glass encasing of a fire extinguisher in frustration.

"It was a great win for us and our fans, to get over the hump," he said. "To finally get over the hump now, it's great."

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GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- In between the practices and games, the Knicks and Heat haven't been going anywhere. The away team has been stationed in the other's city for about three days at a time.

So, does that mean Carmelo Anthony is hanging out with his good pals LeBron James and Dwyane Wade?

Not at all. In fact, they're not even communicating off the court during the first-round series.

"Nah, it's business. It's straight business right now," Melo said. "I really don't think there's any need to text right now. We're trying to win; they're trying to win. Tomorrow's a big day for both. I haven't heard from them at all."

You can follow Jared Zwerling on Twitter.