NBA

Embattled D’Antoni still believes Knicks can make title run

Coach Mike D’Antoni said despite the Knicks’ 113-86 blowout of Detroit on Tuesday, he still feels under the gun, but has not given up on his preseason prediction of contending for an NBA title.

A giant challenge awaits as the Knicks (8-13) embark on their only back-to-back-to-back set. It starts tonight when they play host to the Eastern Conference-leading Bulls, who entered last night with an 18-5 record. The Knicks play in Boston tomorrow and play host to the Nets Saturday as the lockout-reduced schedule rears its ugly head.

“The only thing [Tuesday] night proved is I could get one good night’s sleep this week,’’ D’Antoni said. “That’s the only thing that happened. Other than that, we’re still 8-13 and the posse is after me, so I’m running as fast as I can run. Hopefully I can turn this posse into a parade. That’s my focus. I’m working as hard as I can work.’’

Despite the Detroit blowout, D’Antoni was greeted by an item in “The Daily’’ which stated Knicks owner James Dolan wants to fire D’Antoni if he loses to Chicago and Boston, getting it over with Saturday because he seeks the least media attention possible — the day before the Giants play in the Super Bowl.

Nevertheless, indications are strong D’Antoni will survive past Super Bowl Sunday with the hope a healthier Carmelo Anthony and Baron Davis, a rejuvenated Landry Fields, and big men Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler still can rock the East in D’Antoni’s speedball system.

With Davis’ debut still a mystery, Anthony made a triumphant return Tuesday after resting his sore ankle and wrist for two games and looked splendid, selfless and efficient. He shot, drove and passed his way to a 25-point (9-of-14 from the field), six-assist night.

As Anthony goes, so goes the Knicks, and that means playing like an all-around superstar, not just a super scorer.

“If we can keep Melo healthy and keep him where he was [Tuesday] night, we’re a better team than what we’ve been doing,’’ D’Antoni said. “Physically he looked good. I think his ankle is a little sore. But the rest definitely did him good. Hopefully that soreness will go away sometime in the middle of June or July.’’

That was another reference to the Knicks competing in The Finals. That berth is more likely to go to the Bulls, who bring reigning MVP Derrick Rose and reigning Coach of the Year Tom Thibodeau into the Garden.

Their presence brings back memories of the Knicks’ coaching search in 2008. D’Antoni chose the Knicks over Chicago, taking a four-year, $24 million deal — at least $6 million more than the Bulls’ offer. Weeks later, the Bulls won the lottery and the rights to Rose. Had D’Antoni known, it is likely the Bulls would have been his choice.

Thibodeau, the former Knicks assistant under Jeff Van Gundy, was mentioned as a 2008 candidate, but those reports turned erroneous when he never even got a courtesy interview. Yesterday, Thibodeau was named winner of the East’s first Coach of the Month Award for late December/January. The Bulls have won 13 of their 19 games by 10 or more points. Imagine if D’Antoni chose Chicago and Walsh had given “Thibs’’ his break.

“He’s unbelievable,’’ D’Antoni said of Rose. “He’s turned into one of the best players in the game without a doubt, and he’s got a nice supporting cast.” You have to contain Rose a little bit, but most of the time he runs wild.’’

Because of the three-games-in-three-nights stretch, Anthony had suggested the possibility of taking a night off. Stoudemire, meanwhile, is battling a sprained ankle which he injured Tuesday night during second-half warm-ups, missed part of practice but will play tonight.

D’Antoni said his intention is to play Anthony and Stoudemire all three games but isn’t making a guarantee that will happen.

“The plan going in is they’re playing all three,’’ D’Antoni said. “We’ll see how it goes. We need to win every game we play, and we’re going to approach the game with that winning mentality. If Amar’e is really banged up, and he can’t go three straight games, he won’t. We don’t have the luxury to [predetermine].’’

The Detroit win spread hope and a nice vibe with the players, but that easily can be squashed in three days.

“It’s a great mental challenge for us,’’ Chandler said of the back-to-back-to-back. “I like the teams we’re playing against. It’s an opportunity for this team to turn things around and make a leap.’’