Live From the Press Box - Sonics vs. Utah
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.
Jazz Win Wire-to-Wire
Final: Utah 112, Sonics 93
The Sonics were within two several times and tied it on four occasions, but they never led tonight as the Utah Jazz went the full 48 minutes for a 112-93 victory. The Sonics competed, but they did not get the job done on the defensive end of the court, allowing Utah to shoot 51.2% from the field and put 63 points on the scoreboard after halftime. Carlos Boozer paced the Jazz attack. He picked up his 10th assist in the final minute. Along with his 22 points and 11 boards, that gave Boozer his first career triple-double and the 23rd in Utah franchise history.
On the Sonics side, Earl Watson did an excellent job of running the show. He handed out a season-high 14 assists and had just three turnovers in 30 minutes of action. Kurt Thomas battled in the paint and posted a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Sonics got really sloppy with the basketball in the second half, finishing the game with 20 turnovers.
To reiterate what we have previously touched on, it's off to All-Star Weekend and check out SUPERSONICS.COM for complete coverage as Kevin Durant and Jeff Green play in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Friday. Those guys are headed to New Orleans on a redeye tonight. Then pick up your tickets by 
clicking here and be at KeyArena next Tuesday for the Sonics vs. the Memphis Grizzlies and Kevin Durant Bobblehead Night.
Sonics Hanging Around
Fourth Quarter: Utah 101, Sonics 89
With 2:51 left to play, the Sonics are unwilling to concede this game, but still trailing by 12 they'll have a difficult time coming back at this point. Carlos Boozer has led Utah with 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. One more assist would give Boozer his first career triple-double.
The Sonics will be represented in New Orleans during All-Star Weekend by rookies Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. Both players were chosen for the Rookie squad in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. You can catch all the action of the Rookie Challenge at 6:00 p.m. on TNT. The big show, the 57th NBA All-Star Game, is also on TNT Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Of course, your best location for coverage of the Sonics angle will be SUPERSONICS.COM throughout the weekend. I'll be on the ground in New Orleans covering all the pageantry of All-Star Weekend starting Friday, so be sure to check it out regularly.
Durant Bobblehead Night Coming
Fourth Quarter: Utah 95, Sonics 80
With the Jazz seemingly in control of this game, leading by 15 with 5:58 to play, let's turn our attention briefly ahead to the first Sonics game after the All-Star break. On Tuesday, Feb. 19, they'll host the Memphis Grizzlies here at KeyArena. In addition to an opportunity to see a talented young team featuring promising youngsters Mike Conley and Rudy Gay (both of whom will play with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green on Friday in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam), that night is Kevin Durant Bobblehead Night.
Click here to get your tickets and be amongst the first 10,000 fans for your Durant Bobblehead. One lucky fan will win the Golden Bobblehead and get upgraded to courtside tickets as well as have the opportunity to meet Durant after the game. Don't miss it.
Need a Run in a Hurry
Fourth Quarter: Utah 87, Sonics 75
The Sonics haven't got the start to the fourth quarter they hoped for. Utah has started the period with a 6-2 surge to build the lead to 12 points with a little under 10 minutes left to play. At this point, the Sonics can't afford to go much longer without making a dent in the advantage.
During a routine to "It's Raining Men," the Sonics Dance Team strips off yellow rain jackets to reveal their newest tops, which are gold. Look for them to play a prominent role the rest of the season.
Jazz Building a Cushion?
End Third Quarter: Utah 81, Sonics 73
With Ronnie Price hitting a jumper just before the third-quarter buzzer, the Utah Jazz will take an eight-point lead to the final period of the play. That's a sizeable enough advantage that the Sonics will have to strike quickly in the fourth quarter to keep the lead in a manageable range. They'll start the period with five reserves on the floor. Just as at the start of the second quarter, Mehmet Okur is the lone starter on the floor for either team.
It's always fun when fans get their chance to imitate Squatch and the Dunking Ushers by dunking off of a trampoline. The first four fans had a bit of a tough time, though one came close, but it was Melanie who brought the house down by leaping high above the rim and throwing down with two hands and a little flair.
Sonics Continue to Distribute
Third Quarter: Utah 75, Sonics 70
Lots of assists for the Sonics tonight - 23 on 30 baskets, to be exact. Earl Watson has picked up where he left off in the first half, handing out seven more assists in this quarter to get to 12 for the game. That ties his season high and the most by a Sonics player this season. Watson and Luke Ridnour have now combined for 18 assists and three turnovers.
It's a very appropriate night for a "Kiss the Girl" segment and fans on ArenaVision have followed through with some romance.
Getting to the Line
Third Quarter: Utah 67, Sonics 63
After attempting just four free throws during the entire first half, the Sonics have six attempts here in the third quarter. Four have been drawn by Kevin Durant, who has knocked all of them down and now has 16 points on the night. After a tough shooting game in Phoenix, Durant has been an efficient 6-of-11 from the field.
Where the Sonics have been hurt is with defensive breakdowns allowing Utah easy baskets. They've done very well when they have limited the Jazz to contested shots, but Ronnie Brewer and Mehmet Okur have done a great job of reading the seams in the defense and getting buckets at the rim.
Down two at the Half
Halftime: Utah 49, Sonics 47
Sonics guard Earl Watson has mastered the 75-foot desperation shot. Unfortunately, he can't get one to count. Just after the halftime buzzer, Watson threw up a shot and nailed it, but naturally it did not count. That wouldn't be that odd - except Watson did the same thing on Feb. 2 against New York, two home games ago. Strange.
Anyways, we head to the half with the Sonics trailing by just two and this game looking like it is headed down to the wire. The Sonics outshot the Jazz 46.8% to 43.6% and were able to narrow the gap on the glass to something manageable - 27-20 at the half. Mehmet Okur has been a real load for the Sonics, posting 12 points and nine boards in the first half.
Looking Ahead
Second Quarter: Utah 44, Sonics 43
Before tonight's game, Sonics Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo was asked his goals for the remainder of the season. The Sonics will come back from the All-Star break next week with 31 games left in the season (15 of them at home, for the record). Carlesimo said that while the Sonics have learned a lot about their players, there still is more observation to be down.
"We still need to look at people who have been injured or haven't gotten a chance to play," said Carlesimo.
In particular, that could mean center Robert Swift. Carlesimo talked about seeing Swift play with other combinations of the team's younger big men (Nick Collison, Johan Petro and Chris Wilcox). Given that Swift's court time has been limited this year, the team just needs to see him play period. Winning games will absolutely be important for the Sonics over the last 31 games, but there's also a long-term mentality at work.
"Sam (Presti) and us have some big decisions to make," Carlesimo said.
Sonics on the Run
Second Quarter: Utah 40, Sonics 39
A 6-0 run has the KeyArena crowd on its feet and the Sonics back within one point. An angry Jerry Sloan - and you don't want to play for an angry Jerry Sloan - takes timeout to try to slow the Sonics down. Give the Sonics point guards a lot of credit for their play tonight. Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour, the latter on the floor for this run, have combined for 11 assists and just two turnovers - one apiece. Ridnour is really doing a nice job leading the break during this stretch.
While the Sonics still have reserves Ridnour, Wally Szczerbiak and Damien Wilkins on the floor, Sloan has gone back to his starting lineup with one change - Kyle Korver in place of Ronnie Brewer. This lineup frequently finishes games for the Jazz.
Utah Owns the Glass
Second Quarter: Utah 30, Sonics 26
Sometimes you watch a game and can estimate the statistics. Other times, you look at the box score and can't believe your eyes. I had the latter experience a moment ago when I checked out the box and saw that the Utah Jazz holds a commanding 21-10 rebounding advantage in this game (it was previously even more disparate at 21-8). That's pretty incredible domination of the glass; Utah has as many offensive boards as the Sonics have total rebounds.
How are the Sonics within four? They've forced seven turnovers and committed just two and are shooting the ball well - 48.1% from the field. That kind of rebounding gap will be tough to overcome if it continues all night, but odds are it will even up at some point.
On-Court Proposal
End First Quarter: Utah 27, Sonics 24
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we have a proposal tonight at KeyArena. Our "contestant" was blindfolded and had to reach the 100.7 The Wolf FM wolf mascot . Only inside the mascot was his girlfriend, who presented a ring and proposed. Of course, he said yes. Congrats to the happy couple!
As for the basketball, we're firml into bench time with five reserves on the floor for the Sonics. Utah has four bench players and center Mehmet Okur. Both of these teams get strong and consistent production off their bench, so this should be an interesting matchup tonight. Damien Wilkins is sporting a headband tonight for the Sonics.
Petro Mixes it Up
First Quarter: Utah 23, Sonics 18
I've written about Johan Petro quite a bit recently, first in
a feature late last month and then as part of yesterday's look at
the production provided by the quartet of Sonics big men. There's a reason, however - Petro's play has merited the praise. Talking about highlights from the first half of the 2007-08 season before tonight's game, P.J. Carlesimo made note of how satisfying it was to see Petro take the things the coaching staff has been working on with him and translate them into game situations. That has meant Petro playing more like a true big man this season.
Tonight, Petro has brought some energy to a Sonics team that started a little cool. He's got three rebounds including a play where he made up for missing two attempts at the free-throw line by fighting and grabbing his own rebound. Petro also has a dunk and two defensive rebounds against a tough Utah front line.
Jazz Taking it to the Rim
First Quarter: Utah 18, Sonics 10
The Utah Jazz might be hitting more three-pointers with Mehmet Okur healthy and Kyle Korver in the lineup, but Jerry Sloan still instructs his team to attack the basket and is charges have followed instructions so far. After running pick-and-rolls, the Jazz have been able to find success going right down the middle. Big men Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur have combined for 12 of the team's 18 points.
Meanwhile, the Sonics have gotten some pretty good looks so far but had a tough time converting at the rim with the Jazz contesting the shots. That hasn't been an issue for the Sonics in a while, but finishing was a problem during the team's tough stretch in January. Nick Collison and Johan Petro are quickly into the game up front.
Sonics Healthy
Pregame
Tonight's pregame media session involving Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo and the local beat reporters was interrupted when Assistant Coach Paul Westhead walked in to ask Carlesimo who would be inactive. I'm not sure the last time that was an actual decision. The Sonics have been banged up most of the season. Recently, they've had everybody healthy, but with Gelabale and Mouhamed Sene in the D-League just 12 players on the active roster. Gelabale is back tonight, though he is inactive for the game and in street clothes.
For the Jazz, Ronnie Brewer will play and start despite a severely bruised tailbone.
Signing On
Pregame
Welcome to KeyArena, where the Sonics will close out their pre-All-Star schedule tonight, hosting the Northwest Division-leading Utah Jazz. The Sonics took the weekend off after falling at Phoenix in the final seconds, and tonight is their only game in a 10-day span. The Jazz comes in rolling, having won 11 of its last 12 games to leapfrog Denver and Portland into first in the Northwest. It came down to the last shot when the Jazz defeated the Sonics at the Key early in the season. We expect another competitive matchup tonight, so stay with us all night long for the latest.
