NEW YORK -- Amare Stoudemire missed a game for the first time this season when the New York Knicks rested the veteran forward against the Utah Jazz.
Coach Derek Fisher says the decision was partly because the Knicks have a short turnaround before an afternoon game against Denver on Sunday.
Stoudemire was third on the team with 10.9 points per game, making two starts. He sat out some games early last season and played restricted minutes in others after having a pair of knee surgeries the previous season, but Fisher says the Knicks are hoping to have him for 70 or more games.
Fisher also says Jason Smith will start at forward on Friday night.