With the expected news Allan Houston is out for the preseason and likely out for the season opener, though it’s not official, the pressure was on for struggling Jamal Crawford to produce last night against the Mavericks.

In the Knicks’ return to the Garden after their three-game Western flop, Crawford electrified the small Garden crowd, stealing, driving and dunking his way to 22 points in 28 minutes as the Knicks pounded Dallas, 102-86.

After shooting 18 percent on the road trip and drawing criticism from Lenny Wilkens, Crawford also had four assists, three steals and no turnovers.

Crawford said a talk with Isiah Thomas helped his confidence.

“My teammates, my president, my coach, they always believed in me,” Crawford said.