NBA

Knicks coach helped by snapping playoff streak

It wasn’t just the Knicks ending their NBA-record 13-game postseason losing streak Sunday.

Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson snapped a personal seven-game playoff losing streak with the 89-87 Game 4 victory at the Garden, staving off a Heat sweep. It also likely increased the likelihood of Woodson’s return next season.

Woodson’s Hawks lost four straight in the second round to the Magic in 2010, falling by an aggregate 100 points in the most lopsided playoff sweep in NBA history. Adding the first three double-digit losses to Miami, Woodson had lost seven straight by 10 points or more.

Woodson is proud of his work with the Hawks and took exception to any charge the Orlando sweep that cost him his job took away from his six-year reign, when he turned a laughingstock into a perennial playoff team.

“I’ve lost some games in a row, but I was also capable of taking a young team and putting them in the playoffs and getting to a second round,’’ Woodson said. “It counts for something. It’s not always the [playoff] games you lose in a row. We were pretty successful with that team, and they’re still playing pretty good basketball.’’

Contract extension talks for next season have not begun and will not until the season is over — unless Knicks owner James Dolan feels pressure to gauge Phil Jackson’s interest and contract demands.

Woodson didn’t want to talk about the chances of his return. He could become a candidate elsewhere if he is not retained.

“It’s not about Mike Woodson and my contract and where I go from here,’’ said Woodson, a top candidate last summer for jobs with the Pistons and Timberwolves. “I was given an opportunity to coach this team. I’m still coaching the team, and the job is not done. When that time comes, I’m sure everybody will sit down and talk about my future, but right now that’s not my concern. My concern is Game 5 and getting these guys ready to play.’’

Woodson has not given up on the series despite the Knicks’ 3-1 deficit as they try to become the first team in NBA history to rally from 3-0 down. They will be massive underdogs to the host Heat in tomorrow’s Game 5.

“I’ve always as coach looked at the big picture,’’ Woodson said. “The big picture was for us to go home and take care of business and win two games. We slipped and only won one. Now we go down there and try to take Game 5 and put pressure on them to come back here to New York. It would be great for our team, our players and fans.’’

Woodson has not been shy about mentioning his accomplishments since taking over for Mike D’Antoni on March 14 and guiding the Knicks to an 18-6 regular-season finish. After Glen Grunwald had the interim tag removed from his general manager title two weeks ago, Grunwald said Woodson had done “a fantastic job.’’

A few days ago, Woodson reflected on his Atlanta dismissal.

“We were on the move at that particular time,” he said. “We had gone to second round that year. We were on the move. Unfortunately I’m not there to finish it. I’m here in New York.’’

marc.berman@nypost.com