The conspiracy theory the Knicks have an extra challenge defending home court at the Garden because road teams get up to play there is no — to use a Tom Thibodeau phrase — “bulls—t.” 

The Knicks (7-6) begin a three-game homestand, starting Monday versus Indiana, followed Wednesday against Orlando and Saturday against Houston. 

The Knicks are 2-4 at home after recording a 25-11 record during the pandemic season in games that either had zero fans or a 1,900 cap. 

“Of course, being in the city, the mecca of basketball, you want to have a good performance in the Garden,’’ Derrick Rose said following Sunday’s practice. “It looks good on the résumé. It’s a great feeling playing there — not just the home team but the road team. You play well, you shut the crowd up if you’re into that.’’ 

The Knicks’ defensive rating and rebounding are significantly worse at the Garden than on the road. But in their 111-98 road loss to the Pacers on Nov. 3, Indiana killed the Knicks from 3-point range — particularly Myles Turner, who knocked down 7 of 10 from deep. 

“We know we got to play better,” Thibodeau said. “You don’t win games because you’re home. You win games because you’re prepared to play well. Our fans are important. The arena is important but we have to play well and put the work into the game. When we do that we are really good.’’ 

After a 5-1 start, the Knicks are in a bad way but have three very winnable games against three sub-.500 clubs. Indiana (6-8), Orlando (3-10) and Houston (1-11) entered play on Sunday a combined 10-29. 

“It’s a good opportunity,’’ Thibodeau said. “We have some days at practice and we’re home but we can’t look at it as three games. We have to be focusing on Indiana.’’ 

Knicks center Nerlens Noel (sprained knee) didn’t practice and is listed as questionable for Monday. He has played in just four games and the defense has slumped without him. 

Much has been made about the second unit taking off and a lot of that has to do with the recent surge of second-year guard Immanuel Quickley, who got off to a brutal start to the season. In the past five games, Quickley is shooting 45.8 percent from 3-point range — and doing his skip downcourt after making them. 

“Quickley has found his rhythm on his shot,” Thibodeau said. “You knew he would. He’s one of our best shooters. We never wanted him to hesitate. He hesitated initially. Now he’s just letting it go.’’ 

Quickley’s 3-point percentage is still a below-par 32.7 percent for the season. Rose said Quickley is back to his rookie form — if not better. 

“He’s playing with elite confidence,’’ Rose said. “He always had confidence but now he’s controlling the game. Me and [Alec Burks] are getting out of his way and we’re feeding off him knocking down shots. It makes our job a lot easier when he’s playing that way.’’ 

Indiana rookie swingman Chris Duarte, whom the Knicks tried to trade up for in the draft, is averaging 14.3 points, shooting 40.3 percent from 3-point land.