Live From the Press Box - Sonics vs. Houston
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Heartbreaker
Final: Houston 109, Sonics 107
An exhilarating final 10 seconds, but the Houston Rockets escape tonight with a two-point win over the Sonics. The Sonics isolated Kevin Durant on Chuck Hayes on the left wing and Durant appeared to have a step on Hayes, but the defender was able to recover and block Durant's shot out of bounds with 1.6 seconds left. With no more timeouts, the Sonics seemed to be in trouble, but a great inbounds play freed Durant for a good look from deep beyond the top of the key as time expired. With Luis Scola running out at him, Durant's shot was ever so slightly long and the Rockets hung on.
The outcome shouldn't obscure that the Sonics did a lot of good things in building a lead that was double-figures much of the third and fourth quarters. They got 49 bench points, including 22 from Wally Szczerbiak. Point guards Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson combined for 20 points, 14 assists and just two turnovers. Nick Collison pulled down 14 rebounds. Durant had an efficient offensive outing, scoring 25 points on 12-of-23 shooting. However, Houston got a combined 54 points from Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming and some timely three-pointers, and that was just enough.
The Sonics will be back at the Key on Friday, hosting the Atlanta Hawks on Friday Night Live presented by Miller Genuine Draft. Fans will have a chance to get the Sonics Dance Team poster presented by Desert Sun. 
Get your tickets now for Friday!
McGrady Misses 'Em Both
Fourth Quarter: Houston 109, Sonics 107
A 70.9% free-throw shooter this season, Tracy McGrady was unable to connect on either attempt this time and a contested ball out of bounds went to the Sonics. After a 20-second TO, they'll have a chance to tie or even win.
Need a Miss
Fourth Quarter: Houston 109, Sonics 107
The Sonics completed the first part of their objective, with Kevin Durant getting a layup off glass with 16.0 seconds left to pull the team back within two. Houston will inbound at halfcourt after taking a full TO.
Advantage: Houston
Fourth Quarter: Houston 109, Sonics 105
The Sonics couldn't have asked for a better look than they got on their last possession. Down one, Luke Ridnour dribbled into an eight-foot running banker off glass, but it swirled around and out and Shane Battier secured the rebound. On the other end, McGrady drove the lane and the Sonics collapsed to him, leaving Rafer Alston alone beyond the arc. McGrady spotted the open man and Alston drained the triple to give the Rockets a four-point lead with 19.3 seconds left. That's still enough time for the Sonics, but they need to score quick and for Houston to miss a free throw.
Rockets Take the Lead
Fourth Quarter: Houston 106, Sonics 105
A Tracy McGrady step-back triple initially gave the Rockets their first advantage since the late first quarter. Kurt Thomas answered with a pick-and-pop for a jumper, but McGrady took the ball to the hoop and converted off glass as Houston maintained a one-point advantage with 51.0 seconds left. Sonics ball after a 20.
Sonics Cling to Lead
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 103, Houston 101
A Shane Battier three-pointer got the Rockets within one, but Kurt Thomas split two free throws to provide another point's advantage. The Rockets have possession with 1:36 on the big clock and nine on the shot clock after a 20-second timeout.
Rockets Rally
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 101, Houston 98
An 11-4 surge has Houston to within three points and one possession of the Sonics. As we come out of our final media timeout with 2:59 left to play, however, Nick Collison will step to the free-throw line for two shots. The Sonics are closing with Collison and Kurt Thomas up front along with Wally Szczerbiak, and Luke Ridnour and Kevin Durant in the backcourt. With Houston's stars, finishing this game out will be a challenge.
Sonics Hold Rockets at Bay
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 97, Houston 87
The Rockets are fighting to get close, but the Sonics have largely been able to hold them at bay, maintaining a double-figures lead with 6:33 left to play. Still, with the offense slumping a little bit after a couple of Kurt Thomas jumpers a couple minutes ago, P.J. Carlesimo takes timeout to get rookie Kevin Durant back in the game.
All-Star Mariners closer J.J. Putz is in the crowd tonight and launches t-shirts into the stands during the timeout. Is that part of his pre-Spring Training regimen?
Sonics Extend Lead; Brooks Q&A
Fourth Quarter: Sonics 93, Houston 82
Sonics FSN play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Calabro likes to refer to the Z Channel when Wally Szczerbiak has it going. Well, tonight the reception is crystal clear. Szczerbiak has five points here in the fourth quarter and 22 for the game on 7-of-11 shooting. He's helped the Sonics extend their lead back to double-digits, 11, with 9:03 left to play and the crowd getting into it.
In at point guard for the Rockets before this timeout was rookie Aaron Brooks, facing his predecessor at Oregon, Luke Ridnour. Brooks is a Seattle native who prepped at Franklin High School before moving on to star for the Ducks. Before the game, he talked about his first regular-season game in his hometown.
What does it feel like playing here in Seattle?
It feels good. I was just saying I watched Sam Perkins and Hersey Hawkins and all of them guys play here, not to mention Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton. It's the same place I used to come watch them at - it's still here. Being here and playing in an NBA game on the same floor they used to play on in the same situation - it's not like I'm playing high-school ball here - it's a dream come true.
Was it nice to have a couple of days in Seattle after flying here on Monday?
Oh yeah, definitely. It worked out perfectly. I got to see my family, so it was good to get here. Luckily, most of them were here.
How many tickets do you have out tonight?
It's supposed to be a hundred-plus. We'll see who makes it.
Have you played at KeyArena during your prep days?
MLK - the King Holiday Hoopfest was here. I think I had a few other games here.
So you feel comfortable here?
I do. I've got the floor down a little bit. I think the first time I played here the floor was maroon and gold - now it's back to the retro look.
Did you expect coming into the season that you would have a chance to be part of the rotation, given the team's depth at guard?
I didn't know. I figured they drafted me for a reason, but we had so many great point guards on this team I didn't know where I was going to fit in. I see what they want me to do - they want me to play energy and go out there and play hard, things that I'm capable of doing. I'm starting to find my niche.
Sonics Take Five-Point Lead to Fourth
End Third Quarter: Sonics 83, Houston 78
The Sonics did a pretty good job late in the third quarter, with the exception of a possession where they found themselves up against the shot clock and Wally Szczerbiak had to heave up a prayer. They followed that with a good stop on a driving Tracy McGrady. Luke Ridnour got a final look from 30-35 feet at the third-quarter buzzer that looked good but was wide right, leaving a five-point margin as we head to the final period.
The Sonics do have to fear McGrady taking over down the stretch. He's now up to 21 points in less than 23 minutes of action tonight.
Important Stretch
Third Quarter: Sonics 79, Houston 72
As we take our final media timeout of the third quarter, the Sonics hold a seven-point advantage. The last 2:36 of this quarter will really change the tone of the game as we head to the fourth period. If the Sonics can maintain or extend their advantage, the Rockets will really be pressed to rally on the road. If, on the other hand, Houston continues to cut into the lead, the Rockets will take the momentum to the fourth.
Tracy McGrady looks relatively healthy tonight despite the left knee injury which he returned from last Saturday. McGrady has 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting and has been hitting to the perimeter as well as getting to the basket at times.
Sonics Withstand Three-Point Strikes
Third Quarter: Sonics 73, Houston 61
Houston has hit three out of four three-point attempts so far in the third quarter, including a pair of triples from guard Rafer Alston, but the Sonics have still expanded their advantage to 12 points and have not cooled off whatsoever on offense. Kevin Durant, who leads all scorers with 19 points, had a nice slithering move into the paint through traffic for a dunk and also connected off a very nice inbounds play called by P.J. Carlesimo.
This stretch will be important for the Sonics, who just saw Kurt Thomas pick up his fourth foul. The Sonics did a good job of defending Yao Ming even when Thomas was in foul trouble during the first half. Can they do so in this half as well?
Strong Half for Sonics
Halftime: Sonics 59, Houston 50
A pair of late Johan Petro buckets give him nine first-half points and helped the Sonics maintain their lead near double-digits as teams head to their respective locker rooms. This has been a really solid half of play for the Sonics, who shot a sizzling 60.0% from the field and saw four players score at least eight points. The Sonics held Yao Ming in check and didn't really let the Rockets role players get anything going.
With the Rockets in town, it's only appropriate that Belltown Martial Arts is performing its Lion Dance at halftime. My illustrious colleague Doug Eberhardt wants to note it's the Year of the Pig through Feb. 7. My counter-argument is that this year, like several before it and all until his retirement, is the Year of the Yao.
Aggressive Durant
Second Quarter: Sonics 52, Houston 43
The Rockets felt good about the way they defended Sonics rookie Kevin Durant on Monday, holding him to 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting. We're not yet to halftime, but Durant just surpassed that total tonight. Durant has had it going shooting the ball off the dribble and coming off of curls, but the last play showed the area of his game the Sonics are looking to emphasize - taking the ball to the basket. After missing a good look at a three, Durant got the ball back and drove hard into Shane Battier, who tried to take a charge. Instead, referees called the foul on Battier while Durant's runner rattled in, giving him a potential three-point play after the timeeout. Durant is 7-of-10 from the field tonight and has nary a turnover.
The Boom Squad Dance-Off produces some clunkers at times, but also shows off the talent lurking in the KeyArena stands. Tonight, Bree falls into the latter category, winning adidas gear with a very impressive impromptu routine at center court.
Bench Production
Second Quarter: Sonics 42, Houston 38
The Sonics have gotten very effective play from their reserves so far tonight. All five players who have come off the bench have scored at least four points, combining for 26 of the team's 42 points. Wally Szczerbiak has led the way and has been very active, including nine points on 3-of-5 shooting. The Rockets have countered with three starters (Rafer Alston, Shane Battier and Yao Ming), nominal reserve Tracy McGrady and Luis Scola. A lot of people think this is Houston's best lineup, with Scola stepping in at power forward.
Whenever I see Luther Head, I always think of that old Cranberries song "Zombie. "In your head, in your head," etc. Is that just me? Anyone? No one? OK, fair enough.
Sonics On the Run
Second Quarter: Sonics 34, Houston 24
It's a 14-0 Sonics run around the two quarters, taking them from down four to up 10. Houston has been held scoreless since the 1:38 mark of the first quarter, a span of a little over three and a half minutes. Great defensive effort from the Sonics reserves. Luke Ridnour, Damien Wilkins, Wally Szczerbiak and Johan Petro - who has been very active on D - are teamed right now with starter Nick Collison.
Even with Tracy McGrady in the game, the Rockets have been unable to get anything going on offense, and that compels Rick Adelman to take a timeout.
Finishing Quarter Strong
End First Quarter: Sonics 25, Houston 24
Nice defense by the Sonics down the stretch of the first quarter allows them to reclaim the lead by one point, 25-24, after one period of play. The Sonics shot 55.0% from the field in the quarter while holding Houston to 45.0% shooting. Part of that shooting for the Sonics was a parlor shot by Luke Ridnour, who had to attempt about a 22-foot runner off one leg with the shot clock winding down but saw it go in.
Credit Nick Collison with a nice quarter despite missing all three of his shot attempts. Collison pulled down five boards and is the lone Sonics frontcourt starter not in foul trouble- he did not commit a foul in the period.
McGrady Appearance
First Quarter: Houston 19, Sonics 18
Coming off the bench at less than 100%, Tracy McGrady has checked in for the first time tonight and quickly hit a jumper despite strong defense from Sonics rookie Kevin Durant. Durant was a big McGrady fan in his younger days.
Foul trouble has become an issue for the Sonics. Jeff Green, Kurt Thomas and Chris Wilcox are all on the bench with two personal fouls apiece.
Sonics Claim Early Lead
First Quarter: Sonics 14, Houston 11
Good start for the Sonics, who have held the lead throughout the early portion of tonight's game. On defense, they've done a credible job against Yao Ming, who has seven points but is 3-for-6 from the field, while Bonzi Wells is the only other Rockets player to scratch thus far. Kevin Durant has powered the Sonics offense in the early going, shooting 3-for-4 from the field and making some shots with a high degree of difficulty.
Kurt Thomas took a bit of a blow trying to defend Yao and left the game early, replaced by Chris Wilcox. I believe Thomas went briefly to the locker room, but he is now in the bench.
Happy to Return Home
Pregame
Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo is certainly pleased to be in Seattle for the next couple of weeks as the Sonics enjoy an extended homestand.
"It's always good to be home," Carlesimo said during his pregame media availability, explaining that a short homestand, road trip, repeat format can be comfortable for players and coaches. Extended trips like the two four-gamers the Sonics had to start 2008? That's a different story.
Besides the off-the-court comfort of being at home, the Sonics will benefit as a basketball team. Carlesimo pointed out that players can come in to work on their game and stay late after practices, which is difficult to do on the road. Even the coaching staff can get more work done. Meanwhile, the Sonics should be able to get work done in practice with a schedule that sees them play every other day through Feb. 4.
Signing On
Pregame
Hello from KeyArena, which has been a rather unfamiliar locale for the Seattle SuperSonics of late. Over the first three weeks of 2008, the Sonics played just two home games sandwiched between a pair of four-game road trips. They'll make that up over the next two weeks, playing their next seven games at the Key. The stretch tips off with a matchup against the Houston Rockets as the completion of a home-and-home set for these two teams. If the season ended today, the Rockets would be out of the Western Conference playoffs, but they are 7-2 in their last nine games to move within two games of the final spot in the West at the midway point of their season.
