NBA

THE GARDEN OF HATE

Hours after Madison Square Garden settled the sexual-harassment suit against Isiah Thomas, losing $11.5 million, the Knicks coach/president allegedly lost his patience and cool by taking on the hostile fans during the second half of last night’s 99-89 loss to the Mavericks.

Following the boo-infested defeat, which dropped the Knicks (6-14) a season-low eight games below .500, Mara Altschuler, who said she is a longtime season-ticket holder, rushed to the press table to complain that Thomas had lectured the fans behind the bench for not being more supportive.

According to Altschuler, Thomas said, “We’re missing layups because you’re booing.” Altschuler, who worked 16 years for CBS News, said Thomas turned to make his stream of remarks in the third and fourth quarters, directing it to the first couple of rows.

According to Altschuler, Thomas invoked the phrase “Sixth Man,” explaining what a crowd should be. Thomas mentioned Indiana and North Carolina as crowds that the Garden should emulate, she said.

She said Thomas blamed a Quentin Richardson airball on the boos. Thomas could be seen by reporters in the third quarter exchanging words with fans, and did not deny it later.

“I was just trying to make sure we kept the team together and we stayed focused on what we were doing and trying to win the basketball game,” Thomas said. “Our fans are great. They show up and support us.”

The fans booed loud and often and chanted “Fi-re Is-iah” periodically during the second half.

At the 20-game mark, the Knicks are on pace for a 25-win season after three straight seasons of pathetic results (33-49, 23-59, 33-49). No wonder Thomas was in a bad mood.

Thomas also may have become frustrated because the fans turned on his supposed franchise center, slumping Eddy Curry, like never before. Curry has a fragile psyche and Thomas could be concerned his confidence will deteriorate even more than it has.

A Knick official disputed the tone of Thomas’ talk with the fans, saying he heard a fourth-quarter exchange when the Knicks were making their run to cut a 23-point deficit to eight with 6:40 left. The official said Thomas told the fans, “See, this is what happens when you cheer.”

Altschuler told The Post: “We found it humorous that’s the reason the Knicks are losing – the fans. Not their defense. Not missing easy layups.”

This is not the first time Thomas has been accused of ripping Knick fans. During the sexual-harassment trial, he was said to have made a disparaging remark about the “white season-ticket holders.”

There were fewer boos for Thomas than for Curry – who had another brutal evening: six points on 3-of-13 shooting, three rebounds, lethargic on defense. Curry suffered a cut lip from Josh Howard that prevented him after the game from explaining his massive slump, his scoring average dipping to 15.2 points.

Thomas’ day began badly enough when he learned the Garden dropped its appeal and settled his suit. Owner James Dolan was not at the game, but if Thomas is trying to get himself fired, he’s doing a swell job.

Zach Randolph also took a shot at the fans.

“We need the fans,” Randolph. “We need support when we were down. It’s a very negative effect.”

The Garden was at its surly worst – even booing Met pitchers Oliver Perez and John Maine when they were shown on the videoboard.

Dirk Nowitzki’s season-high 36 points for Dallas probably had more to do with the loss than the boos. Nowitzki effortlessly hit 30 midway through the third quarter, scorching any Knicks defender.

The first “Fi-re Is-iah” chant occurred with 8:55 left in the third and Nowitzki at the foul line.

The Knicks got within 84-76 with 6:40 left, but Dallas held them off, Howard (22 points) sealing the win with an open 3-pointer for a 97-83 Mavericks lead as eccentric owner Mark Cuban rose from his seat behind the bench, raising his arms in triumph.

The Knicks were without Stephon Marbury, back on bereavement leave to mourn his father after trying to play two games. Thomas noted Marbury was an “emotional wreck” before Saturday night’s game. And now the Knicks are just a train wreck.

marc.berman@nypost.com