The hour was late, and the visitors’ locker room at New Orleans Arena was nearly empty Friday night when two deep voices called across the room to each other.

“Great job tonight, Ray,” Amar’e Stoudemire said on his way out.

“You too, bro,” Raymond Felton responded.

The mutual respect was tangible, the appreciation earnest. Stoudemire and Felton joined the Knicks last summer to become the twin pillars of a new era. Their growing bond is evident  and a primary reason for the Knicks’ recent resurgence.

The Knicks’ victory over the Hornets, fueled by Stoudemire’s dominance and Felton’s efficiency, was their third in a row and eighth in nine games. With nearly a quarter of the schedule behind them, the Knicks are 11-9, their best 20-game record since 2001. In the muddled Eastern Conference, that is good enough for sixth place.