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Jeremy Lin Lovers Overcome Cable Blackout to Cheer on Knicks Win

By Trevor Kapp | February 15, 2012 9:13pm | Updated on February 15, 2012 9:57pm
Jeremy Lin led the Knicks to their seventh-straight win on Weds., Feb. 15, 2012, by beating the Sacramento Kings 100-85.
Jeremy Lin led the Knicks to their seventh-straight win on Weds., Feb. 15, 2012, by beating the Sacramento Kings 100-85.
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Chris Trotman/Getty Images

MANHATTAN — Knicks fans braved a cable blackout by flocking to Big Apple watering holes Wednesday night to watch newfound phenom Jeremy Lin continue his winning ways amid international hype surrounding the breakout star.

Lin, who’s taken the league — and world — by storm in leading the Knicks to seven-straight wins, had 10 points and 13 assists to lead the team to a 100-85 victory over the Sacremento Kings Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.

With the Knicks up big heading into the fourth quarter, New York coach Mike D'Antoni sat Lin on the bench for an extended rest.

Despite a blackout by Manhattan's major cable provider, Time Warner, Knicks fans were determined to show their support for the team — and Lin — as they extended their win streak to seven in a row.

"It's an amazing story," said Franklin Solarte, 25, Sunnyside, Queens, assistant manager at T-Mobile store. ''He's making history, and this is a way of being part of it.''

At the Garden, Mike Tyson and Spike Lee were in attendance to root on Lin and the Knicks.

The team’s current streak has delighted bar owners banking on the ongoing spat between Time Warner Cable and the MSG Network that has left subscribers unable to tune into games since Jan. 1.

New Yorkers were doing everything they could to show their support Wednesday night, despite having to leave their couches to catch "Lin-sanity."

Down in Chinatown, a line stretched down the block outside the Nom Wah Tea Parlor — just one of the many places in Manhattan that had New Yorkers cramming in to celebrate Lin.

Aileen Chu, 32, of Chinatown added that she was a huge fan.

''He's pretty awesome," she said. "He went from bench-warmer to talk of the town and nation. It doesn't get any better than this."

''I just want to support him. It's unbelievable," Chu added. "All of a sudden, we've got six straight wins.''

At the 13th Step in the East Village, fans said the Knicks found their next star player.

"Seven in a row — it's great for the city. It was a gimme tonight, but a win is a win," said Al Edwards, 25, of the East Village. "He looked good, the team played well. We have our point guard."

Others thought Lin's improbable run was a sign of the things to come.

"He brought the whole team up. He draws a lot of attention and everyone else is open," said David Hon, 25, a project manager from Yonkers.

"They'll make the playoffs because of Lin."