Celtics Vs. Knicks, Game 4: Carmelo Anthony Fights Odds, Maybe Inevitability, With New York Down 3-0

Who knew that the pre-game lay-up line before Game 2 would ruin this series for the New York Knicks? With the Boston Celtics nursing a 1-0 lead, Amar'e Stoudemire strained his back on a practice dunk during warm-ups. He suffered back spasms, left the game in the first half, was ineffective in Game 3 and may miss Game 4 entirely. Now the Celtics are up 3-0, and the Knicks have one more chance this season to earn the team's first playoff win since 2001. If New York loses on Sunday, it will have gone a full decade between playoff victories.

That's what hangs on the line for Carmelo Anthony, the midseason superstar acquisition. Once the Knicks began to struggle shortly after the 'Melo trade, it became apparently that as currently constructed, there was no chance New York could be considered a legit contender in the East. Maybe next year. Maybe in two years, when the next great free agent class comes of age. But not now.

A single win in the playoffs isn't too much to ask, though; the one-star Hornets earned one. The Grizzlies have two! Even the Pacers, facing the best team in the league, earned one. If the Knicks don't, it will be understandable and still completely disappointing. The team has come a long way from the Isiah Thomas days and even last year's odd squad. A playoff berth is something, especially when the team's last postseason visit was all the way back in 2004. That's all a positive veneer on the 0-3 hole the Knicks find themselves in. But it's still an 0-3 hole, and the Knicks have spent two of the three bullets in their chamber -- 2010 cap space on Stoudemire and the team's entire set of prospects on Carmelo Anthony. Cap space in 2011 or '12 is all that's left.

Something positive in the interim would be great; a single win here at Madison Square Garden could apply, especially if it means tiring the C's out a bit before they move on to face the Heat. The game begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Check out our Celtics vs. Knicks hub for full series coverage. For more on the Celtics, visit CelticsBlog and SB Nation Boston. For more on the Knicks, visit Posting And Toasting and SB Nation New York.