Live From the Press Box - Sonics vs. Milwaukee
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 Close Homestand With a Win
Final: Sonics 104, Milwaukee 98
The Sonics survived a late flurry of scores by Michael Redd, who finished the night with 41 points, the most by a Sonics opponent this season. Despite that, the Sonics made their free throws and finished off an 104-98 victory to finish off this homestand in strong fashion. We've really seen growth from the Sonics in close games like tonight and a week ago against Indiana. This was a solid victory in a lot of facets.
Kevin Durant really showed off a lot of his game tonight. Durant did a good job when asked to defend Redd for much of the fourth quarter, and came up with a career-high five blocked shots. He also tied his career high by pulling down eight rebounds. On offense, Durant came up with big shots and tied his career high with 35 points. His 15 free throws and 16 attempts were also both career highs. The Sonics frontcourt did a fine job, with Chris Wilcox, Kurt Thomas and Nick Collison combining for 34 points and 32 rebounds. They led a defensive effort that, despite Redd's outburst, held Milwaukee to 37.4% shooting. And Earl Watson logged 40-plus minutes at the point and had 12 points and nine assists.
The Sonics head out on the road tomorrow for a five-game trip that begins Sunday with a 4:00 p.m. tip-off in New Orleans on FSN and KTTH 770 AM. Make sure to check out SUPERSONICS.COM for pregame and postgame coverage throughout the trip. One quick reminder: Single-game tickets for the second half of the season go on sale via SUPERSONICS.COM Monday at 10 a.m. Don't miss your chance to go to some of the season's biggest games and see this Sonics team continue its development.
Time Working Against Bucks
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 96, Milwaukee 90
Sonics still up six with 52.2 seconds left. They have possession, but just two seconds to get off a shot after taking a 20-second timeout.
Sonics Have the Upper Hand
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 90, Milwaukee 84
With 2:46 left to play, the Sonics are maintaining a six-point lead and trying to take it to the finish line. A big call went in the Sonics favor at the four-minute mark. Nick Collison rebounded an airball and went up with it, getting hammered by Andrew Bogut as the shot-clock buzzer sounded. The Bucks wanted a 24-second violation, but after extended discussion, the referees ruled it a flagrant foul on Andrew Bogut before the expiration of the shot clock, giving the Sonics two shots and possession. Ultimately, it wasn't a huge break as Collison split the two shots and the Sonics turned the ball over.
Kevin Durant has moved over to guard Michael Redd and has done a fine job, forcing a turnover just before the timeout.
Sonics Respond
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 85, Milwaukee 79
That had to be what P.J. Carlesimo hoped to see after the Bucks tied it up. The Sonics went on an 8-2 run to reclaim the lead and have forced Larry Krystkowiak to take a timeout and try to get his Bucks going once again. With Damien Wilkins in to defend Michael Redd, the Milwaukee go-to guy has two more free throws but has been quiet since then. On offense, the Sonics have gotten contributions from several players, with Kevin Durant hitting a three, Chris Wilcox splitting two free throws and Earl Watson hitting a pull-up in transition.
Incidentally, the Sonics have a colossal 18-2 advantage in fast-break points tonight.
Milwaukee Evens it Up
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 77, Milwaukee 77
The Bucks have come out strong in this fourth quarter, outscoring the Sonics 9-4 to tie the game at 7 apiece with 8:52 left in the contest. Predictably, Michael Redd has been the leader, scoring seven points in the quarter on 5-of-6 shooting from the free-throw line. The Sonics haven't helped their own cause with a pair of turnovers so far, while the Bucks have also taken advantage of the offensive glass.
There's still a long ways to go in this one, so the Sonics need to settle down and play their game coming out of the timeout. They'll try to do so with their starting lineup back on the floor.
Sonics Carry Momentum to the Fourth
End Third Quarter: Sonics 73, Milwaukee 68
If you're a believe in the importance of how you finish quarters (is Doug Collins reading, perchance?), the Sonics are in fine shape after concluding the third period strong. Kevin Durant energized the Sonics defense with a great recovery play to stuff Michael Redd, leading to a shot-clock violation. Shortly thereafter, Earl Watson found Durant on the break for an alley-oop finish. Wally Szczerbiak added a free throw and the Sonics came up with a stop on the last possession of the quarter, allowing them to take a five-point lead to the fourth quarter.
Something to watch as we go into the final 12 minutes of play: Mickaël Gelabale's play at the point. He'll start the quarter alongside Durant, Wally Szczerbiak, Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox. Every player on the court for the Sonics is between 6-7 and 6-10.
Bucks on the Run
Third Quarter: Sonics 66, Milwaukee 65
The Milwaukee Bucks have come out of the last timeout with an 8-2 run and will have a chance to take the lead for the first time since the score was 7-5 with Mo Williams heading to the free-throw line after this timeout. Michael Redd did the bulk of the work on offense, hitting back-to-back three-pointers.
"We've got to keep some kind of handle on Michael Redd," P.J. Carlesimo said before the game, "because he's one of those guys who can score 40 points." That mark might be hard for Redd to reach, but he's got 22 tonight on 8-for-14 shooting and has carried an otherwise lackluster Milwaukee offense.
Sonics Open Up the Lead
Third Quarter: Sonics 64, Milwaukee 57
The Sonics have pushed their lead to seven points as we have reached the first media timeout of the third quarter. They've done it with defense, reducing Milwaukee's shooting percentage for the game down under 40%, currently at 39.0%. Some of those misses and turnovers have turned into transition opportunities, and twice Kevin Durant has been able to get to the foul line on the break.
Nick Collison is into the game early in this quarter because Kurt Thomas has picked up four fouls. Collison has done a very nice job, knocking down midrange jumpers on consecutive possessions to stretch the Bucks defense.
Sonics Take Lead to Break
Halftime: Sonics 53, Milwaukee 49
Clearly, Michael Redd was not pleased that he allowed Kevin Durant to get to the basket for an acrobatic driving layup on the last Sonics possession of the first half. As he walked off the court to the locker room, Redd slammed his palm against the table here in front of us in the media on the baseline. However, he was able to match that score on the other end with a runner of his own just before the first-half buzzer. As a result, it's a four-point Sonics lead as we head to halftime.
Really, the Sonics did a lot of things well in the first half, holding the Bucks in check on defense, avoiding turnovers and controlling the glass. The only area where the Sonics did not have a good half was in terms of shooting. Both teams hit 42.6% from the field in the first half. If the Sonics can improve on that and maintain their defensive intensity, they are in excellent shape tonight.
Bogut Fan Club
Second Quarter: Sonics 46, Milwaukee 42
At the end of Wednesday night's game, I made reference to a group of rabid Australian fans, some of them shirtless, and joked they were a little early to see Andrew Bogut. Well, it turned out that was on the schedule as well. They've stuck around and tonight are cheering on their mate, Bogut. There's been plenty to cheer about tonight - Bogut has 1 points, four rebounds, two assists and three blocks in a very impressive performance.
Before the game, P.J. Carlesimo praised the number of things Bogut can do - score using either hand, block shots, pass the ball from the post position. Pretty much all of those skills have been on display tonight.
During the timeout, the Aussies and the rest of the crowd are giving it up for the acrobatic theatrics of the Dunking Ushers.
Bogging Down
Second Quarter: Sonics 37, Milwaukee 34
As I mentioned early, Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo stressed before tonight's game the importance of getting points in transition. We saw that during the first quarter, but the game has really slowed down into a half-court affair in this second period and neither team has put the ball in the hole a whole lot. The teams sport identical 41.2% shooting percentages and the stats are generally similar across the board. The Sonics have benefited from outscoring Milwaukee 7-3 at the free-throw line, with both teams perfect at the line so far.
Bucks Bench Brings Energy
Second Quarter: Sonics 35, Milwaukee 32
The Milwaukee reserves have done a very nice job of getting their team going with some energy. The Bucks have outscored Seattle 8-3 here in this period thus far. Charlie Villanueva is a big reason why. The Bucks big men has eight points and four rebounds and has been all over the place, including attempting to tip dunk a missed shot, drawing a foul in the process.
Milwaukee has used Villanueva and Yi Jianlian together at forward, getting more size at the position. The Sonics might have liked that, however, because Yi replaced Michael Redd when he returned. Redd has been very hot and has scored10 points, including a triple to open up the quarter.
Ridnour Apparently Out Tonight
End First Quarter: Sonics 31, Milwaukee 24
When we met with Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo earlier this evening, he and the rest of the coaching staff were still uncertain as to whether Luke Ridnour, coming back from a strained quadriceps muscle, would be able to go tonight.
"Luke's going to try - warm up, come back and tell (Athletic Trainer) Mike (Shimensky how he feels)," Carlesimo said. "He was going to warm up and, if he felt good, try - probably limited minutes if he does."
I haven't seen Ridnour in uniform and Mickaël Gelabale got the first call to back up starting point guard Earl Watson, so it appears Ridnour will not play tonight. Carlesimo did say it was possible Gelabale would get the first look as the backup even if Ridnour was available. The Sonics want to be cautious with Ridnour's injury, but he is on track to return shortly even if tonight is not the night.
Wilcox Off to a Fast Start
First Quarter: Sonics 24, Milwaukee 17
Now it's Sonics forward Chris Wilcox who has taken control of this game. Wilcox has 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting and six rebounds in the first nine minutes and change. Earl Watson has fed Wilcox for a pair of dunks, including a between-the-legs dish in transition. Wilcox has an advantage in terms of strength against Milwaukee rookie Yi Jianlian. P.J. Carlesimo said before tonight's game that running would be key for the Sonics, and they've done a pretty good job of getting out on the break so far.
Watson Provides Early Punch
First Quarter: Sonics 17, Milwaukee 13
The Sonics should be able to do some damage against a Milwaukee team that struggles on the defensive end, and they've taken an early lead with near-50% shooting and good production on the offensive glass. Earl Watson has been the leading scorer in the early going with seven points and is headed to the free-throw line after the timeout to try to complete a three-point play. Watson knocked down an early open look from three-point range and that seems to have gotten him going.
Signing On
Pregame
Welcome to Friday Night Live at KeyArena. It's the Sonics and the Bucks tonight as the Sonics complete a stretch that has seen them play seven of their last eight games here at the Key. The Sonics have built some momentum during that stretch, including wins in two of their last three games. Milwaukee has started an extended West Coast road trip by splitting a pair of games. The 8-9 Bucks bring to town high scorer Michael Redd, one-time Sonics forward Desmond Mason and promising rookie Yi Jianlian. It should be a good one, so stay with us all evening long for updates.
