Amare Stoudemire is probable for the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference best-of-seven first round series against the Boston Celtics on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

Stoudemire (back spasms) didn’t play in the second half in the Knicks’ 96-93 road loss to the Celtics in Game 2 on Tuesday night, and while his absence allowed Boston to take a 2-0 series lead, New York (+6.5) covered the spread for the second straight game.

Oddsmakers are waiting on the availability of Knicks starting point guard Chauncey Billups (knee) before releasing a line on Game 3. Billups sat out on Tuesday and is listed as questionable.

The Celtics need to find an answer for Carmelo Anthony if they’re to start cashing winning tickets for their backers. Anthony sure picked up the slack for Stoudemire in Game 2, going for 42 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists.

The Celts are +700 underdogs to win the NBA title, putting them behind the Miami Heat (+225 favorites) and Chicago Bulls (+350) in the East. The Heat return to the hardwood on Thursday night for Game 3 of their first round set with the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center, while the Bulls tip off at Conseco Fieldhouse against the Indiana Pacers.

Both teams lead their respective series 2-0, although Chicago has yet to cover ATS in either of its SU wins. Sportsbook.com has the Bulls and Heat both priced as 4.5-point chalk for Thursday night’s games.

Miami appears to have an easier matchup in Philadelphia than Chicago does in Indiana, which has held leads in both Game 1 and Game 2. The 76ers played the Heat tough in the opener, but they’re only 1-7 SU and ATS in their last eight games dating back to the regular season.

The Pacers could get an added boost if starting point guard Darren Collison (ankle) can suit up on Thursday. Collison left in the first half in Game 2, and is listed as questionable.

Elsewhere in the East, the public likes the Orlando Magic to take a 2-1 lead in their opening round set against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night at Philips Arena. The Magic are 1-point faves after getting past the Hawks 88-82 in Game 2 on Tuesday night, as Dwight Howard (33 points, 19 rebounds) had his second monster game in a row.

Over in the Western Conference, it’s a must-win situation for the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night in Game 3 of their first rounder with the Dallas Mavericks. The Blazers are down to the Mavericks after dropping the first two games of the series both SU and ATS at AmericanAirlines Center.

Portland is listed as a 6-point favorite at Sportsbook.com against Dallas for Game 3, while the total is on the board at 186.