J.R. Smith questionable for Game 3 because of illness

New York Knicks sixth man J.R. Smith is questionable for Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night due to illness, the team said.

Smith did not participate in shootaround on Saturday morning, according to ESPN.com.

The extent and nature of his illness is unclear but Mike Woodson said Smith woke up with a 102-degree fever and was back with the team doctors at the hotel.

"I got to wait until I get back to see where he is," said the head coach. "We just got to gauge it. I don’t know if he’s going to play tonight. If he don’t, someone else has to step up."

Smith is mired in an extended shooting slump. He's missed 23 of 30 shots in the first two games of the series and has been the focus of the Knicks' woes.  Smith was accused of partying too late on Saturday before the opening game and was fined $5,000 by the NBA for taking a flop in the game.

Carmelo Anthony was a lot more confident, smirking when asked about possibly not having Smith tonight.

"J.R.’s going to play tonight," Anthony said about his teammate

If Smith can't play in Game 3, Iman Shumpert, Pablo Prigioni or Chris Copeland could see an increase in playing time.

I wonder if there is a quick cure for Rihanna-itis.

The series is tied at 1-1.