Live From the Press Box - Sonics vs. Golden State (preseason)
Want to enjoy the electricity of at KeyArena 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 quotes, analysis and observations from the game. E-mail Kevin at sonicsconnection@sonics-storm.com. Make sure to keep coming back or refreshing so you get the latest content.
Sonics Fall in OT
Final: Golden State 126, Sonics 122
The Sonics got the ball back with a little over 20 seconds left down three, but when no foul was whistled as Earl Watson drove into traffic with a lot of contact and Golden State recovered the loose ball, that effectively ended the game. This being the preseason, how the Sonics played is more important than the final outcome, and there were many promising signs in that regard. The Sonics played excellent basketball at times in this game, particularly in the second quarter, and got plenty of experience in late-game situations that will come in handy early in the regular season.
The Sonics saw tonight the kind of diversity they can have on offense. Four players scored at least 20 points, led by the 27 of Damien Wilkins. Four players had at least eight rebounds and Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson both handed out at least eight assists. This performance gives the Sonics something to build on as we move into tomorrow's game at Portland and Friday's preseason finale in Vancouver, B.C. against Phoenix.
As for Kevin Durant, X-rays came up negative. He has a sprained left ankle and we'll pass along any further updates when we get them.
Down Four
Overtime: Golden State 124, Sonics 120
The Sonics rallied to tie with a pair of Chris Wilcox putbacks, but Stephane Lasme - getting more pub than I expected - gave Golden State the lead with a free throw. Brandan Wright followed with a putback and the Sonics intentionally fouled Monta Ellis a moment ago. He split two free throws, leaving the Sonics down four with 27.7 seconds left.
Warriors Pull Ahead
Overtime: Golden State 120, Sonics 116
The Sonics offense has stagnated a little bit here in overtime, and the Warriors have taken advantage to take a four-point lead. Monta Ellis just jetted from one end to the other - there are few players, if any, faster than Ellis in the league - for a layup to make the advantage a two-possession one for the Warriors.
We'll see if the Sonics can come back after a timeout.
We're Headed to OT
End Regulation: Sonics 113, Golden State 113
The Warriors played for the last shot, with guard Monta Ellis isolating at the top of the key in a 1-4 flat set - where all four other players line up on the baseline. Stephane Lasme darted up toward the top of the key as if to set a screen for Ellis before heading back down low. Ellis then attacked Earl Watson in the direction of Lasme, but Watson reached in to rip the ball away and recovered it just as the clock ran out. That was Watson's third steal of the night and the 13th by the Sonics as a team. Last year's season high was 15 steals.
Chance to Take the Lead
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 113, Golden State 113
After this timeout, Wally Szczerbiak will be at the line for a free throw that could give the Sonics the lead with 25.3 seconds left. After a terrific steal by Damien Wilkins, Szczerbiak got the ball on the break and scored to tie the game while being fouled. Kurt Thomas has been replaced by Chris Wilcox, but not before taking a huge charge.
Kevin Durant's injury is to his left ankle. He's having it X-rayed.
Durant Out
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 109, Golden State 109
Matt Barnes has tied it with a three, but the more pertinent news for the Sonics is that Kevin Durant has left the game hobbling a little on his left foot or ankle. I believe he headed back to the locker room. I'll update this as we hear something.
Sonics Clinging to Lead
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 109, Golden State 106
The Warriors have yet to take the lead during this fourth quarter, though they did tie the score at 104-all a moment ago on a Matt Barnes three-pointer. Kevin Durant followed with a three of his own and Wally Szczerbiak converted a contested layup in transition off of a steal and a great feed by Earl Watson - Watson's 13th assist of the evening.
Golden State responded with a long jumper by rookie Marco Belinelli and, just before we went to timeout, Barnes drew a charge on Chris Wilcox. That gives the Warriors the ball with 2:46 left to go. The Sonics will finish the game with a lineup of Watson, Durant, Szczerbiak, Nick Collison and Kurt Thomas. The Warriors have Monta Ellis, Belinelli, Barnes, Stephane Lasme and Brandan Wright on the floor.
Down the Stretch
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 102, Golden State 101
Looks like we'll get the opportunity for the Sonics to work on their end-of-game scenarios with a close game tonight here at the Key. The Warriors have gotten within one point a couple of times in the last few minutes. The game has gotten a little sloppier in that span, but we'll see if both teams execute more in the half-court the rest of the way.
Looking to save a loose ball, Sonics swingman Damien Wilkins came flying into the media table here on the baseline a moment ago. Fortunately, he landed in front of the scouts and not one of us writers, with our indispensable laptops. "Nice hustle," offered one of the scouts after making sure Wilkins was alright.
Running with the Warriors
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 93, Golden State 90
Before tonight's game, Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo was asked about whether he's comfortable running with teams like the Warriors, the Suns (Friday's opponent) and Denver (whom the Sonics will face on Opening Night).
"We always want to get out and run," Carlesimo pointed out before explaining that he still doesn't want to get into the kind of wild up-and-down game where neither team runs any offense.
"We don't want to play a 128-118 deal," he said, "but it could happen."
It looked like tonight might end up about 128-118, but the scoring pace has slowed considerably in this second half.
Warriors second-round pick Stephane Lasme, a UMass product, has gotten five minutes of run tonight. That reminds me to wish our resident UMass alum a very Happy Birthday.
Sonics Winning Battle of the Boards
End Third Quarter: Sonics 87, Golden State 79
The Warriors are hardly known for their rebounding prowess, especially when they play super-small as they have much of tonight. Still, you have to like the job the Sonics have done on the glass. According to the box score, they've got a 41-37 rebounding advantage, but that understates the real difference because the Sonics have missed more shots than Golden State.
Seattle has grabbed 27.9% of available offensive rebounds and a very impressive 82.9% of available defensive rebounds. Average those two numbers and the Sonics have a 55.4% team rebounding percentage, which is a sizable advantage.
Azubuike Shining
Third Quarter: Sonics 84, Golden State 79
Kelenna Azubuike, a second-year swingman the Warriors originally got on a 10-day contract midway through last season, is the team's leading preseason scorer at 17.2 points per game. He's having a very nice little third quarter, including a couple straight buckets that led to a P.J. Carlesimo timeout with his team still up five. Azubuike has shown off a lot of athleticism, blocking a Sonics layup attempt on the break a moment ago.
Tough night for the fan who went bowling with Squatch, but sent the supersized inflatable Squatch tumbling over well short of the pins. He's still a winner.
E-Mails, We Get E-Mails, We Get Sacks and Sacks of E-Mails
Third Quarter: Sonics 77, Golden State 69
A quick reminder that you can e-mail me during the game at
sonicsconnection@sonics-storm.com. I'd love to make e-mail a bigger part of the blog this season. Recently, I got this interesting e-mail from Cheryl Carlesimo.
"Hi, Kevin! Please include me on your blog. I'd love to hear what's happening in the preseason games and throughout the season. Thanks!
"Go Sonics!
best
Cheryl"
Now naturally you have to wonder about a Carlesimo e-mailing, and in fact Cheryl is P.J.'s sister - one of nine siblings, apparently. Well, hello Cheryl and please do keep reading to follow how your brother and the Sonics are doing.
High School Musical
Halftime: Sonics 68, Golden State 61
During halftime, a high school team took the court - sort of. It was the cast of "High School Musical," being performed through Nov. 24 at the
Seattle Children's Theatre, showing off part of their production featuring (what else?) the basketball team.
Strong Second Quarter
Halftime: Sonics 68, Golden State 61
The Sonics put a 42 on the board in the second quarter to take a seven-point lead to halftime against the Warriors. It's hard to believe that a half in which the Sonics allowed 61 points could possibly be considered a success definisvely, but the Warriors shot just 45.1% from the field and 28.6% from downtown. Add it up and Golden State scored at a rate of 104.6 points per 100 possessions, hardly exceptional.
The Sonics, meanwhile, shot just 40.8% but had a 121.2 Offensive Rating on the strength of six three-pointers (in 11 attempts), 22 free throws (in 26 attempts) and nine offensive boards. The swingmen are all doing a good job of putting the ball in the basket. Kevin Durant (13), Wally Szczerbiak (16) and Damien Wilkins (17) have combined for 46 points on 15-of-31 shooting. Everybody is pitching in on defense and the point guards have combined for 11 assists - six by Earl Watson and five in less than 10 minutes by Luke Ridnour.
On the Run
Second Quarter: Sonics 64, Golden State 58
Very exciting little stretch for the Sonics here. Damien Wilkins delivered back-to-back three-pointers, followed by two straight possessions where the Sonics swiped the ball and took it the other direction for a fast break led by Earl Watson. Kevin Durant finished the first with a dunk, then was fouled going up to flush on the second possession.
The Sonics now have 16 fast-break points to 15 for Golden State, and while the second number may be too high for P.J. Carlesimo's taste, he has to like the Sonics outplaying the Warriors at their own game.
Thomas In
Second Quarter: Golden State 48, Sonics 43
Kurt Thomas has checked in as the backup center for the Sonics tonight. He's the ninth player to see action. We have yet to see a backup shooting guard behind Kevin Durant, with Damien Wilkins seeing time at both the two and the three. P.J. Carlesimo said earlier that Mickaël Gelabale would get those minutes - we'll see in the second half.
Baron Davis looks like it's midseason. He's having a grand time, looking for a shooting foul when he was fouled near halfcourt on a break and threw up a shot. (Of course, who could blame him when he got an earlier continuation despite shooting three steps after being fouled.) Early, in the game, I'm pretty sure it was Davis that was yelling "And One" every time a Warrior went near the basket.
Scrappy Sonics
Second Quarter: Sonics 37, Golden State 36
As we go to timeout, plenty of the fans in attendance are standing and applauding the effort by the Sonics. They have outscored Golden State 11-5 in the second quarter thus far to take a one-point lead. The Sonics are really getting after it defensively and on the offensive glass. The Warriors are just 2-for-8 from the field in the period thus far.
Offensively, Wally Szczerbiak has seven points in the quarter, hitting on two or three straight possessions at one point. He's capable of that kind of stretch where he carries the Sonics offense. Credit the rest of the Sonics and Luke Ridnour in particular for getting Szczerbiak the ball in position to score.
Outstanding Plays
End First Quarter: Golden State 31, Sonics 26
After trailing by as many as 11 during this first quarter, the Sonics made a run late in the period to cut the deficit to five after one quarter. A couple of notable plays stand out. On one, the Sonics had three looks at the basket, with Chris Wilcox getting a tip and Wally Szczerbiak fighting for an offensive rebound before being fouled in the act. Lots of guys were crashing the boards there. Shortly thereafter, Damien Wilkins intercepted a lobbed pass, playing it like an NFL safety, then went coast-to-coast for a layup. Notably, Wilkins made almost an identical play yesterday in practice.
I wrote about 
Wilkins' opportunity to compete for a starting job yesterday.
Rotation Matters
First Quarter: Golden State 27, Sonics 17
The Sonics are beginning to get in the second unit, with three reserves having taken the floor - Luke Ridnour, Wally Szczerbiak and Jeff Green. Look for Frenchmen Mickaël Gelabale and Johan Petro to round out the rotation. Both Nick Collison and Wilcox have played some center so far.
Over the remaining two games of the preseason - tomorrow night in Portland and Friday against Phoenix in Vancouver, B.C. - getting Delonte West minutes will be important, presuming he gets healthy. West was out shooting before tonight's game and the Sonics are hopeful of getting him on the court tomorrow. West has played in two preseason games thus far.
Going Small
First Quarter: Golden State 17, Sonics 10
The Sonics have gone early to Jeff Green at power forward. He'll match up with Mickaël Pietrus. The Sonics have been looking to exploit Golden State's lack of size by going to the post, but the offense has looked a little out of sync thus far. Tonight's game is an excellent test of the team's transition defense, and already the Warriors have nine fast-break points.
Sonics Start Collison and Wilcox
Pregame
Yesterday, P.J. Carlesimo indicated his desire to play Nick Collison and Chris Wilcox together tonight with Robert Swift sitting out because he is as yet unable to play in both ends of a back-to-back. Indeed, Collison and Wilcox will start together tonight, as they did the last three months of the 2006-07 season. Swift and Delonte West (right quad contusion) are both dressed, but neither will play barring something unforeseen.
In other rotation matters, it looks like Jeff Green will get a chance to play power forward tonight. The Warriors are very small at the four with 6-6 Mickaël Pietrus currently starting at the position.
Pietrus, who had a personal situation, wasn't here about an hour ago when we talked to Warriors Head Coach Don Nelson but has since made his arrival and will likely start. Golden State had three players who were game-time decisions tonight - Andris Biedrins (sprained big toe, left foot), Troy Hudson (sore left groin) and Monta Ellis (neck sprain) and all three will play. Ellis, making his preseason debut, and Biedrins will start. Stephen Jackson will not play tonight; he's just sitting out.
Signing On
Pregame
Welcome back to KeyArena, where tonight the Sonics will wrap up their home preseason schedule by hosting the Golden State Warriors. The Sonics will look to rebound tonight after a pair of lopsided losses in their last two exhibitions. With the pace of play the Warriors like to play at and Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo's desire for his team to push the basketball, this should be an entertaining game. Stay with us all night long for the latest.
