Knicks coach Mike Woodson said last week he hoped point guard Raymond Felton’s return would jump-start the slumping Steve Novak.
Felton helped get Carmelo Anthony out of a recent shooting funk Sunday with his franchise-record-tying nine 3-pointers, but Novak, the Knicks’ best long-range shooter, has been silent.
“We got to get Novak to come back to where he’s supposed to be,’’ Woodson said.
In the past four games, Novak has made one 3-pointer on just five attempts. He was 0-for-1 on Sunday against the Hawks, and that was a 2-pointer that was blocked.
Novak, who signed a four-year, $15 million deal in July, is a likely candidate to be named next week to the 3-point shooting contest Feb. 16 during All-Star weekend in Houston. He might be considered the favorite.
But the Knicks need to get Novak going again in live games. When he is drilling 3-pointers, the entire team’s spirits seem to lift.
Novak thinks the recent influx to the lineup of Amar’e Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert and Felton has contributed to his lack of touches. Stoudemire, in particular, is getting the ball more on the second unit.
“Understand, in the NBA, guys aren’t going to be on it every night — there’s ups and downs,’’ Novak told The Post. “That’s how it goes in terms of scoring and how the ball is distributed, especially on a team where we have guys coming back and Shump comes back and Raymond comes back. Things are kind of changing. It’s a product of that. I’m not going to lose any confidence. I know Coach Woody has confidence in me.’’
Woodson also has said he feels Stoudemire’s inside play can complement Novak’s outside game. Felton remains the key in getting Novak 3-point looks.
“When he was out, what we missed most is the way he got in there and the defense has to help,’’ Novak said. “Whoever’s out on the floor is going to benefit from it.’’
Asked his interest in the 3-point shooting contest, Novak said, “I’d do it in a heartbeat.’’
* Jason Kidd’s back remains a major concern, and center Tyson Chandler said he still is playing with a sore neck he injured in Indiana on Jan. 10. … James “Flight’’ White, a Slam Dunk Contest candidate, showed off his leaping ability at practice Friday, launching from the free-throw line to the rim— to the delight of Anthony and Shumpert. Anthony and White, teammates in Denver during the 2009 preseason, have become close.
* Rookie Chris Copeland made the most of the team’s trip to London, taking a two-hour train ride through the Channel Tunnel to Belgium to visit with his former team in Brussels. Copeland, however, appears in Woodson’s doghouse. He did not play in two of the past three games, only getting in against the Sixers during garbage time.
Woodson said Copeland wasn’t practicing “hard enough,’’ and has gotten on Copeland during practices for his defense. After one defensive breakdown, Woodson shouted, “See, that’s why I’m reluctant to play you!’’
Copeland said: “It’s still my first year. I still have a lot to learn, for sure. He’s trying to push me in different ways, but we have a deep team.’’