"Nate Robinson admits he may cry tonight at the Garden. That is, if he gets into the game.

Robinson makes his first return to the Garden since being traded to the Celtics on Feb. 18 -- and should receive an enormous ovation if Boston coach Doc Rivers plays him. Rivers yanked Robinson from the rotation in Boston's victory over Cleveland on Saturday that broke a three-game losing streak, so Robinson's Garden return is not good timing.

Rivers claims Robinson is out of the rotation for now as he goes with his best defensive lineup, but it would be hard to imagine Rivers giving Robinson a DNP on this night.

As The Post reported last month, the 5-foot-7½ Robinson will not be afforded a video tribute by Knicks brass, despite his five-year stint. But the Garden faithful will make up for Knicks management's lack of judgment with its thunder.

Eddy Curry, Robinson's best friend on the team, said: "I've talked to him. He said he may shed some tears. I said, 'What will you do if they give you a huge ovation?' He said he might cry. He's an emotional guy.""