Live From the Press Box - Sonics vs. Atlanta
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.
Poor-Shooting First Half Dooms Sonics
Final: Atlanta 99, Sonics 90
The Sonics played this game out, but a 21-point halftime advantage on the back of poor first-half shooting proved too much to overcome tonight. Even after picking up their offense in the second half, the Sonics still shot just 40.9% for the game. They were held without a three-pointer in 11 attempts, the first time that has happened since Feb. 11, 2003. The other big story is Bremerton's Marvin Williams having a big homecoming, scoring a career-high 33 points on 12-of-20 shooting. This has got to be one of the best nights of Williams' budding career.
The best news for the Sonics, as I touched on earlier, was seeing Chris Wilcox score 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting in his return to the starting lineup. Nick Collison, back in a reserve role, started slowly but finished with 12 points and five boards and was active in the fourth quarter. Getting both of those guys going will be big for the Sonics. Johan Petro also had a really nice night, scoring nine points, grabbing six boards and setting a career high with his five blocks.
On Sunday, the Sonics will be back here at the Key to host Sacramento in one of my favorite games of the year's - Squatch's Birthday celebration. We'll have nine other NBA mascots on hand and, amongst other activities, competing in a mechanical bull riding contest at halftime. Let me skip ahead to the conclusion - hilarity will ensue. There's plenty of other fun for young ones of all ages. 
Get your tickets now!
Wilcox Looking Good
Fourth Quarter: Atlanta 89, Sonics 77
Even if the Sonics are unable to come back from a deficit that is now 12 with 2:51 to play, a positive from tonight's game will be the play of forward Chris Wilcox. In his return to the starting lineup, Wilcox has scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbed seven boards. Before the game, Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo explained why the dislocated right pinky finger has been so troublesome for Wilcox.
"Fortunately or unfortunately, he does so many things with one hand that he needs the wingspan," Carlesimo said. "In a perfect world, I wish he dunked the ball more with two hands or did more things with two hands. He doesn't; he's been doing it his whole life the other way."
Carlesimo talked about a different tape job that would allow Wilcox to spread out his two outside fingers on his right hand a little bit more than in previous games, and that may have helped. He has been much more successful palming the basketball when looking to dunk and has shot decently at the free-throw line (4-of-7), another trouble spot.
Hawks Holding Off Sonics
Fourth Quarter: Atlanta 89, Sonics 75
Momentum was all in favor of the Sonics with a little under eight and a half minutes to play when they forced an Atlanta turnover and got the ball back down 12. The crowd went nuts, appreciating the effort, and Kevin Durant led his teammates off the bench to their feet in applause. Since then, however, the Hawks have stemmed the tide, getting a couple of big buckets from Marvin Williams, who has scored a career-high 29 points tonight. The Sonics still trail by 14 and, with 5:02 left on the clock, time is their toughest opponent.
Sonics Cutting Into Lead
Fourth Quarter: Atlanta 81, Sonics 67
Don't call it a comeback, because it has yet to reach that stage, but the Sonics have made a well-timed dent into the Atlanta advantage. They've outscored the Hawks 8-3 in the fourth quarter and 11-3 since the Hawks led by 22 points with a minute left in the third, getting back within 14. Nick Collison has gotten it going, including a tip-dunk finish. Johan Petro, meanwhile, had the play of the night, taking a rebound and going the other direction. No Atlanta player ever picked up Petro, who finished the play by deking Zaza Pachulia with the threat of a pass, giving him a lane to the rim for a dunk and the Pachulia foul. Petro has nine points on 4-of-4 shooting and five boards in a productive outing. The energy has really picked up for the Sonics right now.
Sonics Finish Third Strong
End Third Quarter: Atlanta 78, Sonics 59
Nice way to close out the third quarter for the Sonics. On offense, Damien Wilkins drove baseline and found a cutting Nick Collison for a two-hand flush. It's the third assist of the night for Wilkins. On the other end, Collison blocked a shot to prevent the Hawks from scoring as the clock ticked down. The Sonics still trail by 19, but this gives them some momentum heading to the final period.
Speaking of dunks, Squatch and the Dunking ushers are flying high through the air during the quarter break.
More on Homecoming
Third Quarter: Atlanta 74, Sonics 52
It's a testament to the thriving Seattle basketball scene how frequently we are writing about players making a trip back to Seattle these days. In the last four home games, we've had Franklin grads Jason Terry (Dallas) and Aaron Brooks (Houston) in addition to Bremerton's Marvin Williams tonight. If you stretch, you might even include Lakers center Ronny Turiaf, who played at Gonzaga. Sunday, Spencer Hawes from Seattle Prep and UW is coming back. As guys often tend to have strong nights in their hometowns, this whole trend might not be helping the Sonics.
Before tonight's game, SUPERSONICS.COM intern Jonathan Tallariti had a chance to chat with Williams about playing in Seattle.
"It's exciting," Williams said. "I came to Sonics games as a kid. The Sonics have been around for as long as I've been alive, even longer than that. I've grown up watching them. Gary Payton was my favorite player. I'm excited to be back here playing in front of my family and friends."
With a day off before tonight's game, Williams was able to get over to Bremerton to help celebrate his mother's birthday. As we mentioned earlier, she's sitting courtside tonight. Other friends and family members - about 45 in total - are scattered throughout the lower bowl, and they have to be thrilled with the way Williams has played tonight.
Sonics Have Yet to Make a Dent
Third Quarter: Atlanta 69, Sonics 48
The Sonics have found new life on offense, putting up 17 points in the first six and a half minutes of the third quarter - matching their total from the second period and already ahead of their first-quarter total. However, that's only meaningful if the Sonics can get closer to the Hawks, and right now they trail by the same 21-point margin we saw at the half. I'd imagine that is the message P.J. Carlesimo is relaying to his team in the huddle after taking a timeout.
Points Hard to Come By for Sonics
Halftime: Atlanta 52, Sonics 31
Despite a couple of late buckets, the Sonics still finished with their lowest-scoring half of the season at 31 points. They shot 30.4% from the field, did not have a three-pointer in eight attempts and were 3-of-5 from the free-throw line. Leading scorers Kevin Durant and Wally Szczerbiak shot a combined 5-of-21. The lone Sonics players to find any kind of rhythm on offense were Chris Wilcox, who heated up late in the first half to the tune of nine points on 3-of-5 shooting and four rebounds, and Johan Petro, who hit all three of his shot attempts off the bench.
Fun halftime show which really cannot be done justice by words. The act was a contortionist who also performed archery, including shooting plastic-tipped arrows with her feet. That is definitely something I have never seen before.
Microcosmic
Second Quarter: Atlanta 44, Sonics 23
It's been this kind of half for the Sonics. On one play a moment ago, Kevin Durant fought through traffic to get to the bucket, only to clang a dunk attempt off the rim. On the next play, veteran Kurt Thomas got a relatively uncontested look under the basket, only to miss the layup. The Hawks have played well defensively, but the Sonics have missed a lot of makeable shots, causing frustration to mount.
Hawks Opening Up a Lead
Second Quarter: Atlanta 36, Sonics 20
It's an 8-0 Atlanta run since the last timeout, and their current 16-point lead is their largest of the evening. The Sonics are in need of a run before halftime, but so far Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo has been unable to find a combination that can get things going. The starting five will be back in the game after this timeout.
Not only are the Sonics struggling to put the ball in the hoop (31.3%), they've been unable to manufacture points so far tonight. They have yet to get to the free-throw line and do not have any second-chance points.
Marvin Williams Show
Second Quarter: Atlanta 28, Sonics 20
The Sonics have improved their shooting all the way up to 33.3% through the early portion of this second quarter, but the story of the game right now is the play of Marvin Williams. This is the second chance for Williams to come back to the state of Washington to play, and it's safe to say this game is shaping up as a lot better than his first homecoming, on Feb. 10, 2006. In that game, the rookie Williams had four points in 1-of-7 shooting off the bench, though he did grab nine boards.
So far tonight, Williams has a game-high 11 points, hitting 5-of-7 from the field. He's added three boards for good measure. Incidentally, he missed last year's trip back to Seattle with a broken bone in his left hand.
Not a Quarter for Offense
End First Quarter: Atlanta 23, Sonics 14
You wouldn't know it from looking at simply the score, but this was an up-tempo first quarter here at KeyArena. I have the teams with about 24 possessions apiece, which projects to 96 possessions in the game - well above Atlanta's average of a little over 89 a night. Still, the scores are low because neither team shot the ball well. The Sonics were at 30.8% (7-of-23), while the Hawks weren't a ton better at 40% (10-of-25). We'll see if the Sonics can get it going in a new period.
Bench's Time
First Quarter: Atlanta 19, Sonics 10
The Sonics got great production from their bench on Wednesday against Houston, getting a combined 49 points from reserves. With Luke Ridnour and Damien Wilkins checking in at this timeout, we'll have five Sonics reserves on the floor. This group should have an advantage against an Atlanta team that tends to rely more heavily on its starters, with the exception of sixth man Josh Childress. The Sonics will want to cut into this Hawks advantage by the end of the first quarter.
Fun moment for the youngster sitting behind my location here on press row courtside. A pass was tipped out of bounds and ultimately to the kid, who followed his father's instruction to throw it back to referee Ken Mauer.
Sonics Start Slowly
First Quarter: Atlanta 12, Sonics 4
The Sonics offense has been quiet in the early going, with the team making just two of its first 11 shot attempts. Credit Josh Smith with a couple of nice blocks, displaying his length and impressive vertical. With his mother courtside cheering him on in his jersey, Bremerton's own Marvin Williams has led the Hawks offense. He's made all three shots he's attempted for six points, including a trick shot. Fouled going in for a dunk, Williams just threw the ball at the rim and saw it go in nonetheless.
The Sonics Dance Team performed during the timeout with a special guest choreographer/performer - none other than Squatch, showing off some skin ... er, fur ... in a halter top and mini-skirt that might have been a bit too small for him. Bravo.
Wilcox Returns to Starting Five
Pregame
The Sonics will have a change in their starting lineup tonight, as Chris Wilcox will be back in the lineup at his customary power forward spot. Before dislocating his right pinky finger on Jan. 3 in Phoenix, Wilcox had started all 31 games he played. Since returning on Jan. 14, he has come off the bench, adjusting to having the last two fingers on his right hand taped together.
"I just hope maybe it will help jumpstart him a little bit," Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo told reporters before the game. "Nick (Collison) has played well both ways. Weezy has played a lot better when he's started, so we'll see if that gets him going or he forgets about the hand a little bit. Obviously he's not right in terms of catching the ball or finishing plays or shooting the ball. He's just not as comfortable as he was."
Collison has had a strong month of January, averaging 11.0 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, and Carlesimo doesn't expect that production to wane despite the role change.
"I felt badly from a standpoint of the situation all year is we knew we had two guys who were really good players," Carlesimo said. "They're both going to get minutes. Nick, if anything, has thrived since he's been starting. The numbers he's been putting up have been unbelievable. It certainly has nothing to do with the way he's playing."
Signing On
Pregame
The Sonics continue their homestand tonight, hosting the Atlanta Hawks on Friday Night Live presented by Miller Genuine Draft. The Sonics are looking to continue their dominance of the Hawks, a team they've beaten eight straight times. The most recent of those wins was also the most thrilling - 126-123 in double-OT at Philips Arena in Atlanta, a game won by a Kevin Durant three-pointer at the buzzer. The Sonics will look for that same result tonight. It should be a good one, so stay with us all night long for live updates.
