NBA Playoff Schedule: New York Knicks Will Benefit from Two Days off

Before the New York Knicks take on the Miami Heat in a Game 3 showdown at Madison Square Garden, they will be receiving a much needed two day rest before they try and begin the process of coming back from an 0-2 hole.

While it might seem insurmountable to some, the extra rest should help the Knicks recover from the two-game lashing they received at the hands of LeBron James and the Heat.

Here are some major reasons why rest is just what the doctor ordered for a struggling Knicks team.

Resting injuries

It's no secret the Knicks have been plagued by injuries this season and as more players go to the training room, the worse off New York will be.

Baron Davis needs all the rest he can get nowadays and his ailing back certainly couldn't handle playing everyday. He might benefit the most from some rest.

Amar'e Stoudemire's bout with a fire extinguisher adds to the Knicks' injury concerns. Stat is an uncertainty for game three and even the rest of the series. He needs every day of rest he can get to heal the self-infliced wound Stat suffered.

Jeremy Lin has become a possibility for game four of this series, although that is unlikely if the Knicks fall behind, 3-0 Thursday night. Still, an extra day will give Lin more time to make that possible return.

Jared Jeffries had knee problems before the playoffs started and swelling in his knee will have a chance to subside over the next two days.

Tyson Chandler has been suffering from the flu and while he was much better for game two, he will only get better from here moving forward to game three.

Slow down the Heat

While there might be nothing to slow down the Heat at this point, the Knicks can only hope that a few days off can knock the Heat off their rhythm.

Miami has been dominant thus far and shooting at a high clip. They are totally outplaying New York in every aspect of the game and only rust can save the Knicks now.

It's wishful thinking at best, but being in as deep as hole as the Knicks are, that might be all they have left to hold onto.

More time for practice and preparation

The Knicks need some time to watch film and learn from their mistakes of the first two games. That is the only way they can build off their losses to the Heat in this series and possibly improve enough to win a single game.

Over their two days of rest, New York should be looking to change their game plan. Coach Mike Woodson will most likely make the necessary adjustments to help his team, however that doesn't mean they will actually work.

Still, it wouldn't hurt to try.