 Gary Payton shot lights out in the second half to run away from the Warriors. Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty Images 56k | 300k |
The Sonics have won nine in a row over the Warriors overall and 18 of the last 19.
The Warriors never led but went on a 12-2 run midway through the fourth quarter to pull within 88-86 with 5:39 remaining. The Sonics scored 11 of the next 14 points led by Lewis, who nailed three shots in a 2:10 span to build a 98-89 lead with 70 seconds left.
Desmond Mason scored 16 points and rookie Earl Watson added a season-high 13 off the bench for the Sonics, who shot 51 percent (41-of-80) and won for just the second time in six games.
"(Watson has) really changed the tempo of the game when he comes in," Seattle coach Nate McMillan said. "I think the team is feeding off that."
"I just come in and play hard each game," Watson said. "I have a chance to play against two good point guards (Payton and Shammond Williams) every day in practice. As a professional, I'm constantly getting challenged and it's making my transition smoother."
Golden State's Antawn Jamison had 16 points on 7-of-20 shooting but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. Larry Hughes also scored 16 points and rookie Jason Richardson added 12 and nine assists.
"This one hurts," Jamison said. "I missed so many easy shots, when you fight so hard and you have the opportunity to win, it really hurts. They did a tremendous job of executing and got us out of sync."
Seattle scored nine of the first 10 points and shot 62 percent (13-of-21) in the first quarter to build a 34-21 lead. Lewis and Mason each scored 10 points in the quarter and combined to make 7-of-9 shots.
The Warriors made just 9-of-27 shots and committed five turnovers.
"I told the guys all those fumbles and turnovers early in the game come back and haunt you late," Warriors coach Dave Cowens said. "That's why you have to be ready to play good, strong basketball and compete."
Bobby Sura scored six of his 15 points in the second quarter as Golden State climbed within 57-50 at halftime.
Seattle had a 62-52 cushion early in the third quarter before Golden State scored 20 of the next 31 points and pulled within 73-72 on a 3-pointer by Hughes with 1:50 to go.
Payton nailed consecutive jumpers and, after Jamison made a short jumper, Watson nailed a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left to give the Sonics an 80-74 lead.
"We gave them a big lead and we dig ourselves out of it," Cowens said. "We won the third quarter but you can't do it unles you finished."
Payton scored four points during a 6-0 run Seattle used to open the final period. The Warriors trailed, 88-77, before reeling off nine straight points led by Sura, who made two layups.
Golden State got no closer and the Sonics scored 10 of the last 14 points, highlighted by nine from Lewis.
Seattle used a small lineup in the absence of Vin Baker and Calvin Booth, who are sidelined with injuries. As a result, the Warriors held a commanding 47-31 rebounding edge and grabbed 20 offensive boards.
"We knew the were gonna pound the boards and they did," McMillan said. "I decided at the last minute to just go ahead and play small and stay aggressive."