Amar’e Guarantees Series Win Over Celtics; Woodson Named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month

Amar’e Stoudemire may not see a minute of action against the Celtics, but he’s guaranteeing a series victory anyway.

“We’re going to win that first round for sure,” Stoudemire told Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com on Thursday night in New York City during a screening of his upcoming EPIX documentary, “Amar’e Stoudemire: In The Moment,” which premieres Friday.

“Obviously, as we all know, with the Celtics, you can never underestimate those guys. We’ve got to definitely come to play every game, and bring that focus and determination every single night. I have high confidence in what we can do.”

Melo: ‘We have a shot to do something special’

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — The playoff statistics on Carmelo Anthony are well documented.

Nine postseason appearances, eight first-round exits.

One trip to the Western Conference Finals.

And in some of those first-round exits, the Denver Nuggets had the homecourt advantage.

But that was then, and this is now, and Anthony believes this Knicks’ team is destined to accomplish something special in this postseason.

“I really don’t know what’s going to happen in the next 8 to 10 years or something like that but as of right now I feel like the team that we have, that I have right now, we have a shot to do something special,” Anthony said Thursday after practice ahead of Saturday’s Game 1 against the Celtics at Madison Square Garden.

Knicks’ Chandler Says He’s 100 Percent for Playoffs; Prigioni Unlikely for Game 1 After Ankle Sprain

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Tyson Chandler says he’s “100 percent” physically ready for the playoffs and will welcome a series with the Boston Celtics that is expected to be physical.

“Right now I feel great, I feel 100 percent, honestly,” Chandler said after practicing Thursday in anticipation of Game 1 Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.

“This is the best I’ve felt in a long time. This is the best I’ve felt since I got hurt in Denver.  To be back right now at this time heading into the playoffs, it’s great for me.”