NBA

Woodson finds time for Camby in Knicks’ victory

Marcus Camby lives. Or, in this case, plays — finally.

After failing to get off the bench in the team’s last two games, coach Mike Woodson called upon the 6-foot-11 center for nearly 13 minutes of action, a season high. The 38-year-old Camby, in his second stint with the Knicks, didn’t attempt a shot, missed two free throws, grabbed four rebounds and blocked a shot.

“I’m just trying to show that I belong out there,” Camby said after the Knicks improved to 7-1 with a 88-76 victory over the Pacers yesterday. “In the situation that I’m in right now, I just have to be ready whenever coach calls my number.I’m ready to contribute and it’s about getting an opportunity.”

Woodson shot down the notion Camby isn’t playing because of a strained left calf, which kept him out the entire preseason. Lack of practice time has hurt Camby’s timing instead, the coach said, and Rasheed Wallace has played so well off the bench.

* Former Knicks general manager Donnie Walsh, who now holds the same role with the Pacers, made his return to the Garden yesterday and talked up the Knicks. He said Carmelo Anthony is playing an all-around game, he still believes the Anthony-Amar’e Stoudemire combination can work, general manager Glen Grunwald is doing a “great job” and the Knicks are legitimate title “contenders.”

“There’s not that many contending teams when it really comes down to it,” Walsh said. “They’re one of them.”

* Ronnie Brewer’s surprising offensive production continues. The wing, known for his defensive prowess, rebounding and hustle, scored all eight of his points in the third quarter when the Knicks were struggling to find points. He is now averaging 8.6 points per game, which would be the most he has tallied since the 2009-10 season with the Jazz.

“I try to play within the game, play to my strengths,” he said. “I’m not going to go out there and take 20, 30 shots a game. When the shots come and I’m open, I’m going to shoot them. To me, just staying aggressive helps the team out.”

* Pacers guard Lance Stephenson, a Coney Island product from Lincoln High School who is the all-time leading scorer in New York State history, is enjoying by far his best season in his third year in Indiana. But he struggled yesterday, scoring just four points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field in a starting role.

* Stephenson did successfully slow down Jason Kidd. Going for a pump-fake beyond the 3-point line, he landed awkwardly onto Kidd in the first quarter. Kidd needed seven stitches over the side of his head after the collision, but returned. Before getting the stitches, Kidd made all three free throws wearing a headband to cover the gash.

“It’s not a good look,” said Anthony, who wears a headband himself. “We’re not going to allow that.”