PHILADELPHIA — Linsanity II continues to gain speed on every level.
Madison Square Garden will soon have Coca–Cola courtside signs in Chinese by next week, according to team officials. The Garden approached Coca-Cola on the matter and an agreement has been reached.
Lin is keying the current five-game winning streak, adding last night’s fourth-quarter gem, when he scored 16 of his 18 points in the Knicks’ 82-79 victory over the 76ers. He also is helping the Knicks make tons of money on merchandising.
“These ads will provide exceptional branding for Coke and be an open for business sign for MSG that will be seen around the world,’’ Madison Square Garden president Scott O’Neil told The Post. “We continue to be amazed and appreciate the response that Jeremy and the Knicks receive from fans around the country during our games and globally across our digital platforms and TV.’’
His jersey has been No. 1 on NBA.com for weeks. Two days ago, a “for Her’’ Linsanity line was created for the Knicks point guard, who’s the first NBA player of Chinese-Taiwanese descent.
After a rough three quarters in which he shot 1 of 11, Lin came on like a raging bull.
“He’s been going like that since he’s become Linsanity,’’ Mike Woodson said. “I put the ball back in his hand at the end and he came up with big plays.”
Woodson has not talked in the reverential tones of Mike D’Antoni. But he is winning Woodson over with his gritty play — getting roughed up in every game and keeping coming back for more.
Woodson seemed to bury him on his first full day on the job saying he was in a “learning stage’’ and the team would revolve around Amar’e Stoudemire (21 points, nine rebounds) and Carmelo Anthony (10 points). After the back page of The Post had an “R.I.P. Linsanity’’ tombstone, Woodson was bothered and backtracked the next day as the Garden continues to seek marketing opportunities.
* Jared Jeffries reinjured his knee in the fourth quarter, did not return and will miss tomorrow’s game in Toronto. He will have an MRI exam on his knee.
Jeffries missed four straight games during the Knicks’ six-game losing streak that unglued the defense and eventually forced D’Antoni to resign. Jeffries had surgery on the right knee in the offseason.
* Baron Davis made his return despite feeling pain in his hamstring and played 12 minutes, shooting 2 of 7 for five points and one assist. … There was a wonderful reunion between new Knicks assistant Darrell Walker and Bernard King before the game. King and Walker were teammates in the 1980s for the Knicks. Walker said he had a lot of the assists in King’s 60-point game against the Nets in 1984. King, nominated to the Hall of Fame this year, did MSG Network last night.