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Knicks welcome reeling Bobcats to NYC

Jan 4, 2012 - 3:59 PM (Sports Network) - The New York Knicks could have Amare Stoudemire back in the lineup this evening when they play host to the Charlotte Bobcats at Madison Square Garden.

Stoudemire has missed the Knicks' last two games with an ankle injury he suffered in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers last Thursday. The big forward, though, has been practicing with the team and will be a game-time decision tonight.

"I feel good," Stoudemire said. "[Yesterday] was a great indication on how my ankle feels. I came out, was able to practice a little bit [yesterday]. We didn't do much as far as physical play, but I was able to get out there and step the foot back on the basketball court and see how it feels. Still a game- time decision."

The Knicks certainly could have used their big power forward on Monday when they returned home after a 1-2 West Coast trip to fall 90-85 to the Toronto Raptors.

Carmelo Anthony scored 17 of his 35 points in the second half, but it was not enough for New York, which trailed by 17 at the half and lost for the third time in four games.

"I thought the whole first half our energy was down and we didn't play real hard," Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni said. "Then I think we got a little snake bitten in the sense of when you're not playing hard, things aren't falling and it gets contagious and everybody starts missing shots."

Stoudemire may not be the only Knickerbocker returning on Wednesday, as rookie Iman Shumpert could also be back after spraining his MCL against the Boston Celtics in the season opener.

Charlotte, meanwhile, fell for the fourth straight time on Tuesday in Cleveland, dropping a 115-101 decision to the equally hapless Cavaliers.

D.J. Augustin dropped in a game-high 26 points and had nine assists while Corey Maggette netted 21 for Charlotte, which has dropped four of five to start the year and has lost its last three by an average of 24.7 points.

"Our pick-and-roll defense wasn't there and I just don't think we came with enough energy in the second half," said Bobcats head coach Paul Silas. "It's just not going to work unless we play hard all the time."

This is the first back-to-back set of games for the Bobcats this season.

The Knicks took two of three from the Bobcats last season. Charlotte has also dropped three straight and six of its last seven at MSG, where it is just 3-9 all-time. In a scheduling quirk, these teams will also play in New York on Monday.