Since a bad start followed by a brawl with the Nuggets that sparked some inspired play, Knick fans are starting to come back to Madison Square Garden.

Over the past 13 home games, paid attendance at MSG has averaged 19,199, up from 17,411 in the first 13 home games.

?There was absolutely a wait-and-see approach? from fans and ?absolutely a backlash? to last season?s fiasco, said Hunter Lochmann, marketing VP for the Knicks. ?There?s a different feel to it now.?

Seven of these last 13 games have been sold out, compared to just two sell-outs in the first 13.  The Knicks have gone 9-4 in the recent 13-game stretch.

Knick management believes that their core players have New Yorkers excited about basketball again.  David Lee is a leading rebounder and fan favorite, while Eddy Curry has emerged as a dominant scorer in the paint.  Stephon Marbury is again playing like the confident point guard of his Brooklyn playground days.

?They?re seeing these great games, and they?re coming back for more,? Lochmann said. ?The Garden was hopping, and it was the place to be again.?