Big step in ‘D’ right direction for Knicks

Prior to Sunday, the Knicks had lost four straight games and six of their previous seven, picking up their only win against the leagueworst Nets. During the losing streak, the Knicks had allowed nearly 120.5 points per game, allowing 121 points to the 19-win Lakers before surrendering 131 to the sub-.500 Nuggets.

It made Sunday’s stunning win over the Spurs — who have the Western Conference’s second-best record — even more bizarre. It made San Antonio’s 90 points scored — tied for the third-lowest allowed by the Knicks this season — even more inexplicable.

But it happened. There is proof. No longer does Jeff Hornacek’s underachieving group have to wonder what its potential looks like.

“Now we got it on tape against a good opponent,” guard Courtney Lee said Monday. “We’re showing that we’re capable of doing it against those guys and guys are capable of being able to rotate and help each other out and play for each other. We can’t look back. We have to use this as a measuring stick and get better from it.”

Lee said the win over the Spurs came when the struggling group needed it most and resonated strongly in the locker room, making him more confident that the second-half of the season could look similar to Sunday.

Whether the roster that attempts to make a run will look the same following the Feb. 23 trade deadline is another matter. Lee initially said he was “100 percent” confident that no changes would be made, but he ultimately noted everyone in the locker room knows — most notably, Carmelo Anthony — a shake-up could be coming soon.

“As players, we really try not to think about the deadline or anyone being traded,” Lee said. “Once we go on break, it’s about being with family. We’ll be in contact with some teammates but if anything happens, everybody’s a professional. It’s part of the game.”