I'm glad we're getting to play again. This layoff might be the worst thing that ever happened. They like to run out with the ball. They like to play the power game, they like to get the guards up into the people,'' said Bird, who will have his team practice once more on Monday to prepare for the opening game in the series. Every time you move up, it always gets tougher,'' said Bird, who led the Celtics to three league championships. ''There will be a lot of banging, and pushing.
Every possession means a lot.
The Pacers, who defeated New York twice in three games this season, will play host to the opening two games Tuesday and Thursday. The third and fourth games will be played Saturday and Sunday in New York. The Knicks will be without Larry Johnson, a crucial part of their inside game, on Tuesday as he completes the two-game suspension he received for being involved in a fight with Miami's Alonzo Mourning on Thursday. Sometimes teams pull together when someone is missing from their team. They're going to be missing a key player.