Live From The Press Box - Sonics vs. New York
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It’s Over
Posted at 10:21 p.m.
A meaningless Stephon Marbury layup makes it 109-101 Sonics as the final. Seattle completely dominated overtime, outscoring New York14-6 with all 14 points scored by Allen and Lewis. Indeed, they managed the 40-30 double for the first time since Shawn Kemp (42) and Gary Payton (33) did it on Dec. 10, 1994 at the L.A. Clippers. That one took two overtimes. This wasn’t spectacular, but it was a win, the Sonics fifth straight, and it puts them one win or Minnesota loss away from clinching a playoff berth. If that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will.
Book It
Posted at 10:19 p.m.
Rashard Lewis hits two free throws and the Knicks miss, effectively finishing this one with 17.0 seconds left. The Knicks did send Ray Allen to the free-throw line, allowing him to reach the 40-point mark for the first time this season. Now they’re sending Rashard Lewis to the free throw line, and the Sonics could have a player score 40+ and 30+ in the same game for the first time since 1994.
Angry Rose
Posted at 10:15 p.m.
Malik Rose, apparently just a tad unhappy with picking up his sixth foul in a scramble for a loose ball with 38.8 seconds left, draws a technical for kicking the scorer’s table. Ray Allen hits the technical foul shot, giving him a season-high-tying 38 points on the evening. More importantly, the Sonics have possession up six, 103-97 with 38.8 seconds left to play.
Sonics Lead
Posted at 10:10 p.m.
Ray Allen has scored all five points in overtime thus far, getting two free throws and nailing a 3-pointer over former teammate Tim Thomas. The Sonics have played phenomenal defense while Nick Collison has patrolled the paint, holding New York scoreless for over three and a half minutes.
Upon Further Review …
Posted at 10:05 p.m.
After looking at the replay, let me make sure I give credit where it’s due to Kurt Thomas, who made a phenomenal play to block Lewis’ shot. Lewis was on the strong side when the ball was passed to the weak side and had to make up a ton of ground in a hurry to avert what looked like a sure Lewis score.
To Overtime We Go
Posted at 10:03 p.m.
Tim Thomas stuns the crowd by hitting a 3 with 9.5 seconds left. The Sonics, out of timeouts, bring it back the other way and Luke Ridnour works it to Rashard Lewis. Lewis goes up for a layup which is blocked by Kurt Thomas (a lot of contact there, but no call) and misses a fadeaway at the buzzer, meaning we go to OT tied at 95. I’m not sure how much drama I can take in an infirm condition.
In Luke’s Hands
Posted at 9:59 p.m.
The Sonics have put this game in the hands of Luke Ridnour. He drained two free throws on their last possession and now hits two more to make it 95-92 Sonics with 11.9 seconds left. Timeout Knicks, who are now out of timeouts and may have to start looking for a 3-ball instead of a two.
One Point Again
Posted at 9:55 p.m.
Stephon Marbury hits a pair of free throws and the Knicks have again made it a one-point game. It only took 2.1 seconds for New York to score, but both teams are starting to run out of timeouts, which could become a factor if this game keeps getting extended by fouls.
Free Throw Time
Posted at 9:51 p.m.
Luke Ridnour’s jumper is in and out, but Nick Collison blocks Stephon Marbury’s shot in the lane to preserve the Sonics lead. New York is forced to foul Ray Allen, who drains a pair to make it 91-88 with 23.9 to play.
One-Point Game
Posted at 9:47 p.m.
Stephon Marbury’s layup misses, but it’s tipped in by Kurt Thomas to make it 89-88 Sonics. They take timeout with 54.1 seconds left to play.
Big Shot
Posted at 9:46 p.m.
Ray Allen drains an impossible 3-pointer with the shot clock running down to give the Sonics an 89-86 lead. Unfortunately, he can’t repeat his magic on the next possession but two New York misses have time working against the Knicks.
Washington Sunday
Posted at 9:45 p.m.
Join the Sonics on Sunday evening as they host the Washington Wizards, who feature All-Stars Gilbert Arenas and Antwn Jamison. The Sonics are looking to even the season series after losing in Washington in January.
Get your tickets now!
Important Free Throws
Posted at 9:43 p.m.
It seems like this game may be decided at the free-throw line, as the referees keep regularly blowing their whistles at both ends of the court. Two Rashard Lewis free throws have given the Sonics an 86-84 lead with 2:50 to play, but Jamal Crawford is now headed to the charity stripe with a chance to tie. Naturally, both teams are over the limit.
’96 Draft Reunion
Posted at 9:36 p.m.
Once upon a time, Ray Allen and Stephon Marbury (the fifth and fourth picks of the 1996 Draft, respectively) were traded for each other on draft night. Now, they’re dueling it out here at KeyArena. After a Marbury layup, Allen followed with a 3. Marbury responded with a three-point play to get New York within one, 83-82. That’s where we are with 4:23 left to play.
Foul-Happy
Posted at 9:30 p.m.
A ton of fouls so far here in the fourth quarter, with both teams called four team fouls just under the seven-minute mark. The most recent has drawn the ire of Sonics fans, as Nick Collison was called for a foul very late on a play where it appeared he’d gotten all ball. Trevor Ariza splits two free throws to make it 78-75 Sonics. Collison pushes the lead back to five at the other end.
Streaking
Posted at 9:22 p.m.
With a 10-1 run to start the fourth quarter, the Sonics have quickly gone from down three to up six. Nick Collison has been the catalyst, scoring a couple of baskets, coming up with a pair of rebounds, a steal and contesting (maybe blocking) a Malik Rose shot in the post. The run isn’t over yet, with Vitaly Potapenko headed to the free-throw line. Timeout on the floor with 8:41 to play.
All Square
Posted at 9:17 p.m.
A little more than a minute into the final period, we’re tied up after a Ray Allen 3-ball. Ray’s now got 23 on the evening.
Back and Forth
Posted at 9:12 p.m.
A tight third quarter ends with Luke Ridnour scoring for the Sonics with 11 seconds left and Malik Rose following for New York just before the period’s end. That makes it 69-66 New York as we head to the fourth quarter. I’ve got the feeling this game is going to come right down to the wire. If Ray Allen can stay hot, that’s good news for the Sonics.
Rashard Lewis couldn’t beat the buzzer from 65 feet at the end of the third, but Eric and Jared both did in the Sonics Team Shop Shootout here between periods, nailing 3-pointers.
Outduked
Posted at 9:07 p.m.
Duke may have been eliminated from the NCAA Tournament this evening, but Daisy Dukes are still very much in, as the Sonics Dance Team proved with their performance at the last timeout, to the crowd’s delight. Have you checked out the new Dance Team poster wallpaper? Why not?
Not So Sweet
Posted at 9:00 p.m.
The Sonics have found their offense here in the third quarter, already scoring 19 points with a little more than four minutes left to play (they had only 15 in the second quarter), but they’ve gained precious little ground with the Knicks staying hot. Mike Sweetney has provided New York a lift down low, scoring eight of his 10 points here in the quarter. On the Sonics side, it’s been usual suspects Rashard Lewis (seven) and Ray Allen (five) who have led the way.
Quick Start
Posted at 8:50 p.m.
With a Luke Ridnour 3-pointer and a Reggie Evans score in the paint, the Sonics waste no time in taking the lead here in the third quarter. But Stephon Marbury continues to cause problems with his quickness. He’s got 14 after hitting two free throws, and New York again leads by three.
Halftime Stats
Posted at 8:45 p.m.
Not a great night from 3-point range for either team: The Sonics were 1-for-11 from downtown, New York 0-for-8. Neither team is shooting particularly well (36.8% for New York, 41.0% for the Sonics), but turnovers (9-6 in New York’s favor) and free throws (14-five, for makes) tipped the first half in the Knicks direction.
Military Night
Posted at 8:40 p.m.
It’s Military Night at KeyArena, with the Sonics honoring our Armed Services throughout the game with taped messages from players, special themed timeout entertainment and more. The highlight has to be our halftime entertainment, Dodgeball games variously pitting the Air Force, Army and Coast Guard against each other. The Air Force proved dominant, winning three straight games before being ambushed by the Coast Guard.
Hope Answered
Posted at 8:33 p.m.
The Sonics got precisely the run they needed to close the first half. They scored the final seven points of the half, and it’s now a very manageable four-point lead at halftime. It’s tough to tell Rashard Lewis was a game-time decision for tonight’s game - he’s got a game-high 15 points at the half and has been very productive in the post.
Tough Quarter
Posted at 8:25 p.m.
None of the buttons Nate McMillan is pushing right now are working at all. As well as the Sonics played with first Ray Allen and then Rashard Lewis out of the lineup, you’d think they’d be in great shape with both of them playing, but role players haven’t stepped up as they did before tonight and the Sonics execution has been abysmal. I have them at six turnovers here in the second quarter. Down double-digits, they could desperately use a run before the break.
Substitution Fun
Posted at 8:15 p.m.
Who was checking out when Ray Allen checked in to the game a second ago? The Sonics didn’t know, with first Rashard Lewis and Damien Wilkins moving towards the bench before the correct player (Antonio Daniels) was finally identified. The Sonics have found a little offense recently, but need to pick up their defense. Stephon Marbury (eight points) has heated up, which is a bad sign.
Rotation Notes
Posted at 8:07 p.m.
It’s far too early to draw any serious conclusions about Nate McMillan’s rotation tonight, but a couple of noteworthy things thus far. Despite his heroic performance a night ago, with the Sonics healthy, it appears Damien Wilkins is out of the rotation. He hasn’t gotten any run thus far. Neither has Danny Fortson, who has given way to Vitaly Potapenko as the backup center. The Sonics are currently struggling through a horrible offensive drought. As McMillan takes time out, it has been six minutes and 35 seconds since the Sonics last scored. During that period, the Knicks have gone on a 13-0 run to take the lead. Nate’s response? Well, it looks like we’re going to see Wilkins after all, as McMillan goes small with Wilkins at power forward.
After One Complete
Posted at 8:00 p.m.
The Sonics got a little sloppy at the end of the first quarter on offense, allowing the Knicks to close within four points, 23-19, as we go to the second quarter. All five points came from Seattle native Jamal Crawford, accounting for all five of his first-quarter points. The Sonics made a bad mistake, fouling Crawford on a 3-point attempt and allowing him to get three free throws. 11 of the Knicks 19 first-quarter points came at the charity stripe, which is where they’re staying in this game.
Sonics Getting It Done With D
Posted at 7:55 p.m.
At the under three-minutes timeout of the first quarter, the Sonics hold a nine-point lead thanks in large part to their defensive effort. After holding the Knicks to 15 points in each of the last two quarters when these teams met on Mar. 13 in New York, the Sonics have surrendered just 14 points thus far. The Sonics injury-addled stars, Ray Allen (eight points) and Rashard Lewis (seven) have led the way on offense.
Rashard In Action
Posted at 7:47 p.m.
After missing the final three quarters of last night’s win in Portland, Rashard Lewis was a game-time decision tonight because of patella tendinitis in his left knee. Lewis has gamely given it a go and looked rather healthy thus far, scoring seven points before being removed from the game. He’s staying warm right now by riding an exercise bike behind the Sonics bench.
Signing On
Posted at 7:37 p.m.
Apologies in advance for what might be the worst Live From The Press Box in record, in terms of my contributions if not the still-to-be-determined outcome. Your humble blogger is battling some flu-like symptoms (in NBA parlance), but with no Damien Wilkins available to spell me off the bench, I’m battling through tonight. There is, alas, no pre-game content, but we’ll try to provide the in-game updates you’ve come to expect.
