The New York Knicks announced that NBA sixth man of the year JR Smith is questionable for game 3 against Indiana due to a 102 degree fever he has been battling since late last night.

The News came out early this morning, and it was not good.

If Smith cannot suit up for game 3 it is going to make things very difficult for the Knicks as they look to regian control of the series in Indiana. Even though JR has had a dissapointing series up until this point the attention that Indiana has to commit to him on defense opens up the lanes for the rest of the Knicks who share the floor whith the NBA’s sixth man of the year.

Smith averaged 18.1 points and 5.3 rebounds over the course of the regular season. But the playoffs have told a much different story as Smith has struggled to find his scoring touch averaging just 14.4 points and 4.7 rebounds this postseason. In the first two games against Indiana Smith is shooting an abysmal 7-30 from the field and has scored only 25 points.

Knicks head coach Mike Woodson believes that with Smith’s status up in the air for game 3, Amare Stoudemire, who will return to the court for the first time since March 11th can really help his club:

From ESPN:

The reality is that Amare Stoudamire has not played in an NBA game in over 2 months, and to expect him to work his way back into shape during a playoff game is quite simply asking too much. In fact even if Amare was operating at 100%, his performance against the Pacers historically has been sub par. Stoudemire’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER) over the past two season against teams not names the Pacers has been a very respectable 23.4. Against Indiana – 10.3. This would suggest that like most offensive minded big men Amare struggles against the tough Pacers front line.

Despite all the negatives the Knicks enter game 3 in Indiana coming off of their most complete game of the post season. In a 105-79 rout of the Pacers on Tuesday the Knicks shot a postseason best 49.4% from the field and forced Indiana into 21 turnovers with there tough on the ball defense.

Knicks star Carmelo Anthony is also coming off of his most efficient game of the 2013 post season, scoring 32 points on 50% shooting in the game 2 victory.

Expect New York to come out fighting in game 3 as they realize that to move onto to accomplish their goal of moving past Indiana they are going to have to take on of these next two games on the road.

Schedule

Game 1 – Pacers 102 Knicks 95

Game 2 – Knicks 105 Pacers 79

Game 3 – Sat May 11 at Pacers, 8:00 P.M. ABC

Game 4 – Tues May 14 at Pacers TNT

Game 5 – Thurs May 16 at Knicks 8:00 P.M. ESPN

Game 6 * Sat May 18 at Pacers ESPN

Game 7 * Mon May 20 at Knicks 8:00 P.M. TNT

*if necessary

Season Series (Tied 2-2)

November 18, 2012 – Knicks 88 Pacers 76

January 10, 2013 – Pacers 81 Knicks 76