NEW YORK – The last time the Knicks put together a four-game winning streak, the calendar had just turned to 2006. Larry Brown was the coach and, between January 2-13, New York was unbeatable. The string would eventually reach six, and improve their record to 13-21, and –with 48 games remaining- there was hope.

Twenty-seven months later, the Knicks still cannot get past three straight victories. The playoff-bound Atlanta Hawks [37-42], their latest nemesis, made sure of that, winning 116-104, at the Garden to complete a series sweep for the first time in 59 years. The Hawks now lead the all-time series 179-156.

Incredibly, this was the seventh sellout over New York’s last nine home games, and its 20th of the season.

Atlanta -which entered two games of ninth-place Indiana and four ahead of tenth-place New Jersey- was simply too dominant. Again, they were led by Joe Johnson, who scored 16 first-quarter points, and 34 for the game. Mike Bibby and Josh Smith each added 24, and Al Horford, their talented rookie, chipped in with 19 points and eleven rebounds.

The Knicks may have something to say about the eighth seed, as they finish their season next Wednesday against the Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Hawks could’ve secured the tiebreaker with a win there on Tuesday, but were thwarted, 112-98.

New York [23-57] had played well over this stretch, even though they did their very best to relinquish a 25-point lead in Detroit on Tuesday, and needed every point of an 18-0 run against Charlotte one night later.

But, the Knicks, to their everlasting credit, had persevered in spite of a season’s worth of adversity.

“You always learn through adversity,” said David Lee who had 14 points and eight boards in slightly more than 23 minutes. “Sometimes, you learn what not to do. In my first three years, I have seen a lot of drama on and off the court. And, because of it, I have become a player, and a better man.”

Jamal Crawford topped New York with 20 points and five assists during a game-high 45:47. Wilson Chandler, the team’s No. 1 pick, had another strong game with 18 and eight boards in nearly 32 minutes. Chandler had averaged 18 points on 59% shooting, and eight boards over 34 minutes during this streak.

“Isiah [Thomas] told me not to worry about making mistakes, and to just play hard,” said the rookie. “So, I’m just doing what he asked me to do.”

What he, and his teammates, failed to do was stop a more determined team.

“In the first quarter, Atlanta had a lot of fire,” noted Thomas, who witnessed the early 34-21 deficit from the sidelines. “They were shooting extremely well [66.7%], and Joe Johnson [four-of-five from distance to open the game] played great tonight.”

Thomas, who had vowed to play his younger players more, did not utilize Renaldo Balkman, Mardy Collins or Randolph Morris.

The Knicks, buoyed by a 21-6 advantage on the offensive boards, had 19 more field goal attempts, but converted just three more shots. They outscored the Hawks in the paint, 58-50, which represented nearly half the total points.

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