KNICK NOTES

Mark Jackson blames himself first for the Knicks’ string of fourth-quarter demises. Always known as one of the league’s most clutch teams, especially at the Garden, the Knicks have established a new identity – a club that regularly chokes at the finish.

“I got to look at it like I’m out there running the show,” Jackson said. “And it starts with me. I have to have a certain confidence, a certain swagger that only enhances everybody’s belief that we can get the job done. I have to be in total control.”

Indeed, Jackson usually saves his worst turnovers for late in the fourth quarter – which goes contrary to what his stalwart career stands for.

“If we were finishing games and making plays, I wouldn’t get the credit but I would go home saying I was doing the job,” Jackson said. “If we’re not, then I have to look at it and say I’m not getting it done as far as running the team and making the right decisions – something that’s one of my strongest points. I have to reflect on it and really step it up.”

Indeed, the Knicks need more leaders on the court when things are going bad. It’s still inexplicable neither Don Chaney nor Jeff Van Gundy saw fit to promote either Jax or Latrell Sprewell as co-captains to help out Allan Houston, who is their least demonstrative player.

“Guys are holding their heads down [late in the fourth],” Jackson said. “They don’t have amensia, so you realize what has happened.”

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Latrell Sprewell didn’t practice yesterday because of a slightly sprained left ankle but plans to play vs. Dallas Thursday.