Live From The Press Box - Sonics vs. Sacramento (Game 1)
Want to enjoy the electricity of being Live at the Hardwood even if you're thousands of miles away? SUPERSONICS.COM's Live From the Press Box in-game blog is your best bet. All night and all season long, Kevin Pelton will be bringing you pregame Q&As and observations from the game. Make sure to keep coming back or refreshing so you get the latest content.
Game 1 In the Books
Posted at 10:20 p.m.
Ray Allen hits two free throws to seal it as the Sonics pick up an 87-82 win, their first playoff victory in nearly three years. This wasn’t always pretty, but that doesn’t matter in the playoffs. All that matters is coming up with the W, and the Sonics did that tonight. The hero, of course, is Jerome James, who finished with 17 points, 15 points and five blocks. I joked to someone earlier about James matching his 2002 Playoff output, but he basically did (he had 18 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in that series). Bibby, naturally I s the goat, reminding everyone just how meaningless playoff experience is. And, oh, yeah, don’t forget a combined 46 points from Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. Now thoughts turn to Tuesday, when these teams will play Game 2 at KeyArena and the Kings will have something of an advantage as they make adjustments to correct their problems tonight.
Not Bibby’s Night
Posted at 10:16 p.m.
The Kings played for the three, first working the ball to Cuttino Mobley. His miss was tapped out and the ball ended up in the hands of Mike Bibby, who fired up a 25-footer that caught nothing. Bibby’s a terrific player, but he’s having a horrible night. Bibby is 1-for-16 from the field tonight. The only thing that comes to mind is Dennis Johnson’s 0-for-whatever in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. That was worse, of course, but this is bad.
Outcoached
Posted at 10:14 p.m.
Nate McMillan went small on the Sonics possession, replacing Reggie Evans with Luke Ridnour. Rick Adelman was caught with his regular lineup on the court, forcing Kenny Thomas to defend Rashard Lewis. The Sonics went right to the matchup, and the defensive attention focused on Lewis allowed Antonio Daniels to sneak backdoor. When the defense rotated to him, Daniels found Jerome James for a score in the lane. Still plenty of time (25.0 seconds) for the Kings, down three, but James is the hero if the Sonics emerge victorious.
Wha Happened?
Posted at 10:10 p.m.
In a heartbeat, the Kings have turned this into a game. Both teams have missed opportunities at the free-throw line, with the Kings splitting three consecutive trips to the line. But more costly were two misses by 81.6% shooter Antonio Daniels. Cuttino Mobley followed with a jumper to make it a four-point game. After the Sonics missed, Mobley coolly dribbled upcourt and into a 3-pointer to make it an 83-82 score with 42.4 seconds left. The Sonics have possession, but even a two-pointer here would leave the Kings within one possession. The Sonics have to be more conscious of Mobley, who has scored 10 of his 22 points in the final period.
Contentious Calls
Posted at 10:07 p.m.
The crowd is a bit dubious about calls on the Sonics offensive glass. First, Rashard Lewis was called for going over the back. Then, on the Sonics next possession, Kenny Thomas fell down after collecting a rebound but did not draw a travel call and was allowed to take a 20-second timeout before Reggie Evans came over to tie him up. It’s 83-76 with 1:39 to play and time is on the Sonics side. Also, Sacramento is down to its final timeout.
Experience is Overrated
Posted at 10:02 p.m.
In a half-court game over the last four minutes or so to decide this game, the Sonics have been the better team. They’ve executed better and gotten shots they want. Great defense by Rashard Lewis on Peja Stojakovic in the fourth quarter, most notably on the Kings last play when he stayed right with Stojakovic off of a pick and forced Stojakovic into a pass which Jerome James intercepted. It is not possible to play much more poorly than Mike Bibby has tonight.
Chalk Talk
Posted at 9:56 p.m.
Watch for the Sonics to run the pick-and-roll with Rashard Lewis screening for Ray Allen down the stretch. When the Kings switch this pick, it gives the Sonics a pair of favorable matchups. Peja Stojakovic is not quick enough to stay with Ray Allen, while Cuttino Mobley is too small to defend Lewis in the post. A Lewis turnaround made it 79-70 Sonics at the five-minute mark, but a Mobley score has made it a seven-point game once again.
James Key
Posted at 9:52 p.m.
At 7-1, Jerome James is always big. But his presence tonight has exceeded his height. James has 15 points and 15 rebounds - the most by a Sonics player in a playoff game since Shawn Kemp - to go along with five rebounds. Perhaps, in hindsight, Sacramento’s run had a lot to do with James being on the sidelines resting. It’s 77-70 Sonics with possession with 5:52 to play.
Does Experience Matter?
Posted at 9:47 p.m.
Nate McMIllan responds to the Kings getting within four by calling timeout and putting his starting lineup back in the game. Ray Allen follows with a 3-pointer to briefly make it a seven-point game (Kenny Thomas hits a jumper to make it five). The decibel level is rising in KeyArena right now. Sacramento, as you probably know, has a dramatic experience edge in this series. Will it matter down the stretch? My money is on no, win or lose, but it will be interesting to find out.
Fortson Factor
Posted at 9:40 p.m.
A ncie start to the fourth quarter for Danny Fortson. Switched out onto first Cuttino Mobley and then Bobby Jackson, he forced both players to shoot over him. Both missed. Then, Fortson scored in the post to give the Sonics an eight-point lead. But a dunk by Greg Ostertag - what’s gotten into this guy? - makes it six again.
Aaaaannnndd Heeeerrreeee Come the Kings
Posted at 9:33 p.m.
You didn’t think it was going to be that easy, did you? Okay, maybe you did - especially after none of the day’s first three playoff games were close. But basketball, particularly playoff NBA basketball, remains a game of runs, and here’s the Kings. Through three quarters, they’ve pulled within six points with a 14-5 run. Ostertag has had a huge impact at the defensive end of the court, with Rick Adelman pairing him with Brad Miller in a twin-towers lineup - about the antithesis of the two power forwards he threw out there in the second quarter. The Sonics need this crowd to be big for them in the fourth quarter, and they need Ray Allen to get going again after he was quiet in the third quarter (two points).
Tagged
Posted at 9:25 p.m.
At halftime, David Locke wondered why Rick Adelman hadn’t used Greg Ostertag. Well, Ostertag is in the game here in the third quarter and has wasted no time making his presence felt with the following sequence: block, tip-in putback, defensive rebound, score in the paint. As a result, the Kings are within 12 points, the closest they’ve been in the second half. Nate McMillan counters by summoning Danny Fortson from the bench.
Energy
Posted at 9:17 p.m.
It’s difficult to imagine motivation ever being an issue during the playoffs, but the Sonics just seem to want it more than the Kings tonight. That’s been best reflected up front, where Reggie Evans and Jerome James have been outstanding. James has 13 points and 12 rebounds. Needless to say, those are both playoff career highs. Sacramento has cut the Sonics lead to 15, drawing a Nate McMillan timeout. Again, the goal is to keep them from getting it under 10 by period’s end.
And Counting …
Posted at 9:10 p.m.
The Reggie Evans flop-meter hits two early in the second half. He’s also grabbed his 10th rebound of the night. Excellent effort from Evans, who was as focused as anyone on this roster when it came to the playoffs before this season.
A Couple More Halftime Thoughts
Posted at 9:05 p.m.
Let it not get lost in the shuffle that with Damien Wilkins on the floor in place of Rashard Lewis, the Sonics were +4. Wilkins didn’t score, but was very solid on defense as the Sonics didn’t really miss their All-Star despite having Vladimir Radmanovic (seven first-half minutes) on the bench as well. That’s a great sign. Also: 18 free-throw attempts for the Sonics to 14 for the Kings. Any question who was the aggressor in that half of basketball?
Sonics By 15 at the Half
Posted at 8:52 p.m.
I have a friend that likes to argue that offensive and defensive rebounding are two completely different skills. (What, you don’t have friends like that?) If he wanted to make a really good argument in favor of that point, he can just play a tape of the first half of this game. The Sonics were incredible on their own offensive glass, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds to Sacramento’s eight defensive rebounds. But on the other end, it was completely the opposite, with the Kings getting 16 offensive boards and the Sonics 16 defensive boards. Sacramento shot a dismal 32.7% in the first half. Mike Bibby ended up 0-for-9 from the field, Kenny Thomas 2-for-7 and Cuttino Mobley 3-for-8. On the Sonics side, 19 points on 6-for-12 shooting from Ray Allen, 16 rebounds (eight offensive) for Reggie Evans and Jerome James and 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting for Rashard Lewis.
Spotted in the Crowd
Posted at 8:48 p.m.
Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, supporting this town’s other division champions … Sonics legend Lenny Wilkens, who is attending playoff games to do analysis for FSN (which he normally does in the FSN studios).
Windex Needed
Posted at 8:42 p.m.
Here comes the run the Kings needed. It didn’t look like it was going to come a minute ago, but two Cuttino Mobley jumpers and a 3-pointer from Peja Stojakovic have made it an 11-point game with 1:49 left in the first half. Sacramento is staying in this game with offensive rebounding. The Kings have grabbed an even 50% of their own misses, and while the Sonics have actually been slightly better at rebounding their own misses, that is atrocious. Since the Kings have shot so poorly, offensive rebounding has been truly critical for them. The Sonics need to reverse that trend.
Gotta Get This Off My Chest …
Posted at 8:35 p.m.
There is no place for a cowbell at a basketball game. Never has been, never will be. That is all.
Highlight Reel
Posted at 8:32 p.m.
A couple of great plays by the Sonics in succession. First, Antonio Daniels running the pick-and-roll with Jerome James. He comes off, hesitates with the shot clock running down, then spots Jerome James all alone in the paint and hits him for the dunk. On the Kings ensuing possession, Kenny Thomas throws a careless pass to the point that is intercepted by Ray Allen, who takes it the other way unopposed for the throwdown that brings the KeyArena crowd to its feet. Rick Adelman wastes no time signaling for a timeout. It’s 45-30 Sonics with 5:40 left in the half and the Kings need a run before halftime.
An exhibition in how not to dunk off the trampoline from some Kings fans during the timeout, to the delight of the Sonics partisans.
Flagrant Scent
Posted at 8:28 p.m.
A flagrant foul with 7:31 left in the second quarter called on Darius Songaila. Clearly nothing intentional on Songaila’s part, as he grabbed Antonio Daniels to stop a fast break with Daniels speeding in the other direction, leading to an ugly foul that clearly played a part in the decision to call a flagrant. Daniels knocks down the free throws to gives the Sonics an 11-point lead. After calling things fairly loose early, the referees have tightened up here in the second quarter.
The Key Matchup
Posted at 8:23 p.m.
While all the attention was focused on the Mike Bibby-Luke Ridnour matchup entering this series (note that Bibby went 0-for-5 from the field in the first quarter), I’ll go ahead and contend the most important matchup is at the four and five positions, where the Kings can beat the Sonics with mid-range jumpers. So far, despite Corliss Williamson knocking a shot down a second ago, that hasn’t really been the case (yes, Williamson is playing small forward, but he fits the general principle). Why hasn’t it happened? Because the Kings have been forced out to about 18 feet as opposed to their comfort zone of about 12-15 feet. That’s great defense on the Sonics part.
An answer to our question about the 10-man rotation; Yes, but only because Rashard Lewis has picked up three fouls early in the second quarter. He’s replaced by Damien Wilkins. Also, Jerome James is back in early in the second quarter, presenting matchup problems at both ends. James doesn’t want to come out to defend Darius Songaila, but Songaila can’t handle James in the post. Sonics lead it 39-29.
Kings Go Small
Posted at 8:16 p.m.
After four minutes of first-quarter action, Brad Miller has sat back down to start the second period. In his stead, the Kings have gone to a small frontcourt of Kenny Thomas and Darius Songaila. This could prove difficult for the Sonics to defend and, lo and behold, Nick Collison quickly picks up a foul.
After One Quarter
Posted at 8:13 p.m.
Pretty much all Sonics during the first period. It’s 30-22 as we head to the second quarter, and we’ve got an old-fashioned shootout between two of the best in the business, Ray Allen and Peja Stojakovic. Allen has 11 points in the first quarter, while Stojakovic - showing no rust after missing a week with a strained groin - has 12 of Sacramento’s 22 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers. The Sonics lead the rebounding battle 17-11, but while they’ve done a great job on the offensive glass, they could shut down the Kings better on the other end.
Quickly on the Zebras …
Posted at 8:11 p.m.
The usual stereotype is that referees call playoff games tight in the early going and then let the players play. Well, this hasn’t been called tight thus far, with the teams combining for nine personal fouls, a couple of them offensive. Worth noting: Jim Clark is one of tonight’s referees. Clark had a bit of a run-in with Danny Fortson earlier this season in Charlotte.
Thinking Rotation
Posted at 8:07 p.m.
Nate McMillan said before the game that he’d go back to his regular rotation (to the extent that there is such a thing now) with Vladimir Radmanovic back in the lineup. Thus far, he’s been true to his word; other than Nick Collison as the first big man off the bench and Danny Fortson the second - a change determined by their play over the last two months - this looks just like a game from February or so from a lineups perspective. With Radmanovic limited in his minutes, it will be interesting to see where that time goes. Will McMillan add a 10th player - any of Damien Wilkins, Flip Murray or Vitaly Potapenko could be that guy - to the rotation? We’ll see coming up.
They’re Back
Posted at 8:01 p.m.
Within seconds of each other, tonight’s two biggest injury question marks, Sacramento’s Brad Miller and the Sonics Vladimir Radmanovic, have checked into the game. Vlade, who is sporting some playoff braids - as he promised (or threatened?) after practice earlier this week - received a huge ovation from the KeyArena faithful. (Miller not so much.) The Sonics have continued their hot shooting, but the Kings have found some offense of their own - including six points from Peja Stoajakovic. Still, it’s a 10-point game, 22-12, as we near the three-minute mark.
Imitation …
Posted at 7:58 p.m.
One of the goals when we started Live From The Press Box here at The New SUPERSONICS.COM was to have it copied by another NBA team. After all, we know we’ve really liked the things we’ve copied from other teams. That happened late this season, when the San Antonio Spurs started their “Fanalysts blog.” But little did we expect to be copied within our own city! KJR’s David Locke is doing some in-game blogging at
the Locked On Sports blog tonight and presumably throughout the playoffs. Since David is a good friend of SUPERSONICS.COM, give his blog a look - after you’ve read LFTPB, of course.
It Is Loud
Posted at 7:53 p.m.
In person, the biggest thing that differentiates a playoff game from a regular-season game, without a doubt, is the noise. The difference is exponential … from the time PA Announcer Matt Pitman began counting down the last five minutes until tip-off, this place has been rocking. Of course, the Sonics starting the game on a nice little 9-1 run, capped by a Ray Allen 3-pointer, certainly hasn’t hurt. After that, Rick Adelman wants a timeout to talk it over with his squad. The Kings haven’t played that poorly, but they don’t want to get down early.
Boardwork
Posted at 7:49 p.m.
The Sonics first possession may set something of a tone for this series. Showing some nerves, they missed four shots, but came up with offensive rebounds on all four. Finally, Jerome James’ second tip attempt went in to give us our first points. Jerome James gets the KeyArena crowd going with a swat of Mike Bibby’s shot in the lane, and Rashard Lewis follows with a score over Cuttino Mobley to make it 4-1 Sonics.
Injury Update
Posted at 7:45 p.m.
Without a doubt, the big thing on everyone’s mind entering tonight’s game was injuries, and it looks like everyone will play. That’s no surprise for the Sonics - Vladimir Radmanovic had said he was going to play, though he will be limited to “about” 20 minutes - but a little surprise for the Kings, as it had appeared this morning that Brad Miller was not going to go. Miller is dressed but is not in the starting lineup. Peja Stojakovic will start for the Kings.
Signing On
Posted at 7:35 p.m.
It’s the Playoffs and It’s On at the Hardwood. Even Live From The Press Box has to take it to that next level for the postseason (though what exactly that means I’m not entirely sure … the three traveling beat writers all donned suits tonight, but I missed that memo). It’s been three years since the NBA Playoffs were at KeyArena, and me and 17,000 of my closest friends are tired of waiting. Tip-off is closing in, so let’s get it on!
