KNICK NOTES

ATLANTA – During preseason and the season’s first four games, Trevor Ariza looked like a high-impact rookie. But the 19-year-old former UCLA swingman has hit a wall, minutes decreasing with his production, looking more like a second-round pick.

Last night, Ariza played just two first-half minutes, didn’t score, didn’t shoot, get a rebound, or assist. Saturday vs. Toronto, Lenny Wilkens used him four minutes. Ariza hasn’t been as active on either end, though he denies it’s tiredness. With Allan Houston’s return upcoming soon, Ariza could be most affected, not Penny Hardaway.

Wilkens said part of the slump is teams becoming familiar with his athletic game. Clubs are playing off him at the perimeter to take away his drive. Ariza’s jump shot is not his strong suit.

“People are starting to adjust to him. He has to adjust as well,” Wilkens said. “They know he likes to make hard cuts to the basket. Now they anticipate it and try to be there, making it harder for him. He’ll find where his openings are.”

Ariza has looked dead on second nights of a back-to-back games. The Knicks face Memphis tonight in a second leg.

“I’m sure it’s a lot of games,” Wilkens said. “He played one season of college ball and now he’s going against the best players in basketball.”

Said Ariza, “It’s a long season. I’m just getting used to everything.”

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Tim Thomas was kicked in the right quad and left in the third quarter. He isn’t sure if he’ll play tonight but said, “If I could move, I’ll play.”

In his Atlanta return, Nazr Mohammed scored 22 points with 15 boards.

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Knicks are attempting to establish themselves anywhere the deadbeat Nets consider important. In a press release, the Knicks made a point to announce they had expanded its “in-school reading zones” to include northern New Jersey and Brooklyn, the Nets’ eventual home.

The Knicks will purchase books to Newark and Brooklyn schools and make visits

Hawks raised a banner at halftime last night to honor former owner Ted Turner.