The Knicks broke a seven-game losing streak and picked up a game on the Atlanta Hawks by notching their 22nd victory Wednesday. Inside their front office, Larry Johnson bent his arms in tribute to James L. Dolan’s middle initial and told Dolan, the Madison Square Garden chairman, “It’s all happening.”

Nearby, Allan Houston clasped his hands, gently nodded and paraphrased Al Michaels: “Do you believe in first-round miracles?”

Maybe that is not exactly how it went down, but that is the only way for the Knicks and their fans to approach the last 20 games of this miserable season with any degree of sustainable hope. That is the only means of explaining the continued employment of Coach Mike Woodson.

Precedent will provide. Eighth place will be claimed. As they did 15 years ago, in a lockout-shortened season, the Knicks will rally to make the playoffs, where they will proceed to shock Miami, Indiana and the basketball world in the process of saving their beleaguered coach.