MINNEAPOLIS — Give Mike Woodson an assist. The Knicks coach’s long heart-to-heart talk with Raymond Felton appeared to jar the point guard out of his shooting funk that plagued him since his gun-charge arrest last week.
Entering the night shooting 7-of-32 in the four games since his arraignment, Felton had a big game Wednesday, with Woodson calling it his “best of the season.’’ The point guard scored 18 points with eight assists and two turnovers, making 5-of-8 shots as the Knicks broke their seven-game slide with a 118-106 victory over the Timberwolves.
Felton credited Woodson and other close friends giving him great support during these uncertain times.
“My mind was in a different place tonight,’’ Felton said. “Those conversations help me. It was a great talk. I’ve been having a lot of those lately with a lot of people who have a big impact on my life. My mom, a lot of people. It definitely helps — everyone being in my corner to get through this tough time. I just had to sit back and clear my head.’’
The coach’s meeting with Felton occurred Tuesday before the club flew from Detroit to Minnesota.
Woodson said he asked Felton if he still wanted to be a major part of the team. Felton told Woodson the basketball court was his “sanctuary’’ and he wanted to play.
“I feel for Raymond,’’ Woodson said. “Only he knows what’s going on in his heart and mind in how he’s feeling. I don’t wish that on anybody. My job as coach is to shelter him, pat him and try to keep him up. He says basketball is his only out. That says a lot.
“He’s got to somewhat put this situation behind him. It’s not going to go away. [But] he’s got to show it on the basketball court.’’
Felton, whose contract could be voided if found guilty of the felony charges, has 20 games remaining — perhaps in his Knicks career.
“I got a lot to play for,’’ said Felton, who nailed a 3-pointer on the game’s second possession. “Even though I’m dealing with a lot of stuff off the court, I have a lot to play for. This is a place I can have fun and be free.’’
Distraction? What distraction? Minnesota power forward Kevin Love, a free agent in 2015, said he is not bothered by the early speculation about his future destination and said his U.S. Olympic teammate Carmelo Anthony isn’t either.
“Carmelo’s a pro,’’ Love said before the game. “He’s probably not worried about it. I’m not worried about it. We more than anything want to get a win. I don’t think it’s a distraction.”
Love is a Knicks target, as the team hopes to unite him with Anthony. The Knicks have cap flexibility in 2014 and will have major cap space in 2015, but there’s internal discussions about finding a way to use expiring-contracts to net Love at the 2015 trade deadline next February. A deadline trade is how they netted Anthony from Denver.
Though Anthony and Love are considered stretch 4s, they would seem to be a great tandem as both are strong rebounders.
“Carmelo’s a great player,’’ Love said. “He’s been a guy in this league whose had a lot of success. As far as comparisons, I think we’re different players. We’re able to shoot the ball. He can rebound at a high level. He’s going to be tough to go against.’’
J.R. Smith didn’t express any feelings of betrayal upon his brother’s release from the Knicks’ D-League team Tuesday. Chris Smith began the season with the Knicks but was cut in December, angering his brother.
“Of course I believe he wants to play,’’ Smith said. “He can’t just give up because a team cuts you.’’
Chris Smith can be picked up by another D-League squad. He did not play in Erie’s last three games. … Woodson said Andrea Bargnani is “healing fine’’ and will have another test in a couple of weeks. Bargnani has been out six weeks with a torn elbow ligament.