One play stood out in an otherwise unremarkable matinee dominated by the Knicks.
On one fastbreak hookup early in the second quarter of the Knicks’ 115-94 win over Milwaukee on Saturday, Iman Shumpert darted downcourt and lofted a perfect alley-oop pass to rookie Tim Hardaway Jr., who on the dead run slammed it home. Hardaway put a fake phone receiver to his ear to commemorate the play as the Garden erupted, forcing Milwaukee into a timeout as the Knicks went up 12 points.
It was emblematic of the new-look Knicks, who have won six in a row since a new configuration that has Shumpert coming off the bench to form a dazzling tandem with the rookie Hardaway. They are the Knicks’ last two first-round picks and drew lots of attention at the trade deadline.
“We kind of flipped it with J.R. [Smith] in the starting lineup,’’ coach Mike Woodson said. “Iman is back to playing the way we expected him to play. He has been defending and making shots here and there. When he does that he changes the game because he normally energizes players around him.’’
Smith, the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year, seemed stagnant coming off the bench and he has lifted his game in the starting lineup. Smith, Shumpert and Hardaway combined for 49 points and 18-of-31 shooting.
A source told The Post recently Shumpert was displeased with his prior role as a starting small forward in the smallball lineup. He seems happier now after escaping the trade deadline and paired with Hardaway.
“It works,’’ Shumpert told The Post. “With me and Timmy playing in tandem, it speeds the game up and makes the game a lot easier for us. I think with the first group it’s dictated off our big guns and you might have to take shots you wouldn’t want to take normally to get your game going. With the second group, it’s easier for me to get into the flow, get an easy shot first and get a rhythm going and I can play freely from there.’’
Hardaway has been a rookie stalwart all season. Like Shumpert, he may earn first-team NBA All-Rookie honors.
“It’s good, it’s a fun feeling, we give a lot of energy and that’s what we were hoping for,’’ Hardaway said of the duo. “We do a great job playing with one another.’’
Carmelo Anthony was asked Saturday if he would seek the advice of Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan regarding new Knicks team president Phil Jackson.
“When that time comes, I’ll cross that path,’’ Anthony said. “I’d rather sit down with myself and hear his plan and talk to him rather than seeking advice from someone else. I’d rather try to build that relationship.’’