Mike D'Antoni sees the success of the Magic and Suns as proof that his up-tempo system can be effective in the playoffs.

"What I'm really happy about is you see the way Orlando and Phoenix play, they're arguably two of the best teams, and that's how we need to play," D'Antoni said.

"They're reaffirming the blueprint that'll get us to a championship. And that's what we've got to do in New York."

D'Antoni also disputed Amar'e Stoudemire's claim that he did not preach defense in his time as the Suns' head coach.

"They're playing better defense, and you've got to give Alvin [Gentry] credit for that," D'Antoni said. "Amar'e can say what he wants, but we talked every day to him about defense. I mean, we're not stupid. We emphasized and tried, but he wasn't ready to buy into it totally.

"And Alvin got him to buy in, and I think that's Alvin's strength. He got a bond with Amar'e that I probably couldn't reach, and it's worked."