Knicks hoping gamble with Stoudemire pays big dividends vs. Pacers in Game 3

New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson, left, gives Carmelo Anthony instruction in the second half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball playoff series in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. The Knicks won 105-79. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (The Associated Press)

Indiana Pacers' Roy Hibbert, second from left, blocks New York Knicks' J.R. Smith from going to the basket in the second half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball playoff series in the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. The Knicks won 105-79. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (The Associated Press)

INDIANAPOLIS – Knicks coach Mike Woodson believes Amare Stoudemire can help his team win Saturday night in Indianapolis, so he's not keeping him on the bench for Game 3.

Instead, Woodson is gambling he can bring back a potentially big scorer without messing up the team chemistry. After missing two months following surgery on his right knee, Stoudemire is expected to play 10 to 15 minutes, nothing more.

In late March, Indiana coach Frank Vogel made it clear he wanted injured swingman Danny Granger to get back in sync in the regular season instead of trying to plug him into the lineup during the playoffs. Granger wound up playing just five games this season.

On Saturday night, in a series tied at 1, the Knicks hope Stoudemire can make an impact.