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Lindemonium Erupts at MSG with Knicks Win Over Mavericks

By DNAinfo Staff on February 19, 2012 12:32pm  | Updated on February 19, 2012 6:05pm

By Paul Lomax and Tom Liddy

DNAinfo Reporters

MANHATTAN — Linsanity is back.

Jeremy Lin and the Knicks, coming off their first loss in eight games, put a stop to the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks in a stunning win before a raucous home crowed at Madison Square Garden Sunday afternoon.

Lin, who has led New York to wins in eight out of the last nine games, put up 28 points and 14 assists in 46 minutes of play, thrilling fans at Madison Square Garden after a disappointing loss Friday night against the New Orleans Hornets.

"They're cheering for Linsanity," said Jeff Kennedy, 44, who came to the game with his son, Grayson, 11, pal Chris Lawrence, 44 and his son Tyler Davis, 11.

"They dressed in orange to support Linsanity and to support the Garden and because they're fanatical fans," Kennedy added.

"The Garden has been struggling, so we're trying to bring some energy back to the place."

Powered by Lin's passing and shooting, clutch 3-pointers from newcomer J.R. Smith and Steve Novak and big defensive play by center Tyson Chandler, the Knicks cooled off the Mavs' offense enough to win 104-97.

The win put an end to a six-game winning streak by Dallas.

"It was a great game," said Madhia Mirza, 27, of Tribeca. "You couldn't have wished for more."

Her husband, Ahmed, 26, said that the Knicks: "took care of the ball, didn't make mistakes and made the Mavs pay in the last minute."

And Eddie Levy, 42, and his son Eli, 4 from Brooklyn, were overjoyed with the win.

"That game was absolute Linsanity, 28 points, 14 assists and all against the World champs on national TV," he said.

The Mavs, one of the best teams in the league this year, are a far cry from the 7-23 New Orleans Hornets, who snapped the Knicks' 7-game win streak Friday night at home with an 89-85 win.

While Lin put up 26 points in that game and had five assists during the disappointing home showing, he had nine turnovers as well.

Amar'e Stoudemire also had 26 during the game at Madison Square Garden, but missed shots and turnovers left the Knicks trailing throughout the game.

Nevertheless, the adoration for Lin, who was catapulted into the spotlight after coming off the bench to score 25 points against the Nets, hasn't dampened.

The Harvard grad has had more than 20 points in eight of the last nine games since then, including 38 against the Lakers.