Hughes Keys Huge Rally, But Knicks Come Up Short

He was right on point.

In just his fourth game with the Knicks, Hughes displayed his overall talent on both ends of the floor and won over The Garden crowd with his energetic play in New York’s heartbreaking 108-103 defeat to the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

The 11th-year guard was called upon to help the Knicks dig themselves out of an early hole and he nearly completed the task. Despite admitting that his legs weren’t 100 percent entering the game, he finished with a game-high 25 points, four rebounds and four steals in 34 very active minutes.

“I know myself better than anybody and I told myself that by the (fourth) game that I was starting to feel normal,” said Hughes, who shot 9-for-16 from the field. “I got a little pop back in my step and in my jump and that’s really what it felt like.”

Hughes began the game on the bench but was on the floor to start the second half. Head Coach Mike D’Antoni’s decision to play Hughes with the starters paid off in a big way as he scored 10 in the third quarter to spark a thrilling comeback attempt.

The Knicks fought their way to within two points of their Atlantic Division rival twice in the fourth but were unable to get any closer. The effort was there from New York during the final stretch, but the Sixers were able to counter each time the Knicks were getting close and went on a 7-4 run in the final two minutes.

“They got back in the game and they fought hard,” said Andre Miller, who led the Sixers with 25 points and six assists. “They started to hit 3s in the third and they played with a lot of energy and effort in the second half. We made our adjustment and finished them off.”

Hughes was one of four Knicks to reach double figures in the very competitive game. Al Harrington tallied 23 points and six rebounds, David Lee had 17 and 11 and Nate Robinson added 14 points.

“The guys shared the ball and Larry showed his talent, playing the way he’s been playing for years,” said Lee, who recorded his 22nd consecutive double-double.

Hughes hadn’t found his shooting touch through his first three games since coming over from Chicago in a four-player deal on Feb. 19, but ended the night one point shy of his season high set three weeks before he played his last game for the Bulls on Jan. 12.

The sold-out crowd showed their appreciation for his big night with several ovations throughout the game and Hughes was happy with their support. He hopes that they can keep it up as the Knicks continue their final playoff push.

“We understand that they want to see a good product out on the floor and we want to give it to them,” Hughes said. “I think the more they stay behind us and the more they push us in a positive direction, I think the better we’ll be.”

The Knicks will visit the Miami Heat Saturday in the second game of a back-to-back. New York believes that if it rides its energy from the second half, it should have a good chance of knocking off the Heat for the second time this season.

“We have a limited amount of games left and we have to blow it out,” Hughes said. “We have a lot of guys who can contribute, so while you’re in there you want to give a maximum effort and once you get tired let the other guys come in and do their job.

“We understand that we’re putting ourselves in a little hole but at the same time we have a game tomorrow. We have to come in and be focused.”