CHICAGO, Jan. 7 (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bulls have enough problems when they are healthy.

Gary Payton scored 26 points and Desmond Mason added 10 off the bench as the Seattle SuperSonics posted a 100-88 triumph over the undermanned Chicago Bulls.

Vin Baker added 13 points and six rebounds for Seattle, which has won five of six meetings with the Bulls and four straight at the United Center. Seattle (18-16) has won nine of 11 overall and moved two games over .500 for the first time this season.

Despite having point guard Greg Anthony and center Brad Miller sidelined, the Bulls actually got off to a quick start and led 36-26 with 7:58 left in the first half. But a pair of free throws by Mason ignited a 20-2 run and the Bulls never led in the second half.

Ron Artest had 26 points and nine rebounds and Ron Mercer added 16 points for the Bulls, who have lost four straight.

Anthony was sidelined with the flu while Miller was out with a left pinky strain.

"We were shorthanded tonight with Brad Miller and Greg Anthony out," Bulls coach Bill Cartwright said. "That took our depth level down and consequently our guys got a little tired."

Chicago was within 47-46 at the half but Baker and Brent Barry had layups less than a minute apart to push the lead to five. After a 17-footer by Chicago's Marcus Fizer, Payton had consecutive baskets for a 55-48 lead with 92:25 to go in the third.

The Bulls got back within 60-56 with 4:37 left in the quarter on a dunk by rookie Tyson Chandler. But Payton again stepped up, breaking free for a layup and Art Long followed with an easy basket for an eight-point edge.

The Sonics lead was 72-63 entering the final quarter and Predrag Drobnjak opened the final period with a 21-footer to push the lead to double digits. A.J. Guyton countered with a basket for Chicago but Payton sank a long jump shot and Vladimir Radmanovic made a long 3-pointer off a pass from Payton for a 79-65 cushion.

The Bulls never cut the lead to single digits the rest of the way.

Payton had 16 points of his points in the second half, making 7-of-11 shots in 15 minutes.

"Payton at times was just too quick," Seattle coach Nate McMillan said. "He had single coverage and seemed to rush his shots anticipating the double team. He faded away and didn't attack the basket. In the second half, he went to it and the shots fell."

"I rushed my first few shots," Payton said. "I realized I had to slow down because the shots were there. Once I slowed down, I started hitting my shots."

Chandler, the second selection in the draft, finished with a season-high 12 points in 16 minutes. Bulls point guard Kevin Ollie had just two points but matched a career-high with 10 assists.

Chicago held a 43-34 rebounding edge but committed 24 turnovers and got to the free throw line just 12 times.

"We just mishandled the ball," Cartwright added. "We did a poor job of taking care of the ball. We had poor decision making. You have to give the Sonics credit."

"Turnovers hurt us," Fizer said. "It was horrible. We had 24 tonight and I had six, which is completely unacceptable."