Sonics (33-13) 108, New Orleans (8-40) 91
February 8, 2005
SONICS COACH NATE MCMILLAN:
On the game:
It took us a little while to get going, it seemed like we were just moving in quicksand. I thought they controlled the first half and we were playing at their tempo. The second half we needed to get aggressive, force the tempo by pushing the ball, and defensively get some stops. We were able to do that in the second half.
On what the Sonics didn't do well in the first half:
I thought in the first half everyone was playing three-quarter speed. We were standing and watching. Only six assists the first half with no ball movement at all. The second half we wanted to be more aggressive, force the tempo, but we needed to get more stops and that needed to start on the defensive end. I thought we did that and got out and set some screens to get more ball movement.
On the performance of his All-Stars, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis:
I thought they played good. They made good decisions and they really didn’t force anything tonight. I thought they allowed the game to come to them.
On the Sonics rebounding:
That was a big key, to be able to control the boards and limit them to one shot. They got second opportunities a lot in that first half. We really buckled down in the second half and tried to control the boards. We knew that scrapping and the hustle game would be a big part of this game. Not giving them second opportunities was a key to the game.
On Antonio Daniels' importance to the Sonics:
He has been solid all season long. That was one thing we talked about this morning is that we do have two All-Stars in Ray and Rashard, but that doesn’t happed in Antonio isn’t having the season he’s having, if Vladimir (Radmanovic) is not having the season he’s having, if Luke (Ridnour) is not having the season he’s having. We’ve had a number of guys, both in the starting lineup and on the bench, who have played well. Antonio is one of those guys. Lately he’s been quiet, but he’s been solid.
GUARD RAY ALLEN:
On the game:
The most important thing is that we won. Today was a special day. I’ve made All-Star teams with teammates in years past, but this time was special because I had so many of my hopes resting on Rashard making it. The joy that came across his face when Nate told him he had made it, I completely forgot about myself. It didn’t even matter. We were all happy for Rashard.
On how he's feeling:
I’m sucking wind a little bit. I was even worse yesterday in practice. I was real tired. I like that feeling because I feel like I have to work extra hard just to push through this.
Notes:
The Sonics have won three straight and four of their last five games. New Orleans has lost six in a row and eight straight games on the road.
The Hornets 2-25 road record is the worst in the NBA.
The Sonics have won the last three head-to-head meetings between these teams.
The Sonics were last 20 games above .500 at the completion of the 1997-98 season.
Ray Allen scored a game-high 26 points, shooting 11-for-17 from the field.
Vladimir Radmanovic added 18 points off the bench and Luke Ridnour scored 16.
Reggie Evans recorded 14 rebounds. Evans has averaged 14.6 boards in his last five games.
Dan Dickau, a Northwest native, led the Hornets with 17 points but shot just 6-for-20. His 20 field-goal attempts were one off of his career high.
Casey Jacobsen scored a career-high 21 points off the bench, making 7 of 12 shots. Jacobsen scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and 15 after halftime.
Jacobsen became the 12th different player to lead the Hornets in scoring this season.
Rookie J.R. Smith scored 15 points, his seventh time this season in double-figures.
P.J. Brown had 11 rebounds, his 23rd time this season in double figures.
Seattle shot 58.6% from the field (41-70), just off their season high of 59.4%.
Rashard Lewis (4-for-13) was the only Sonics player not to hit at least half of his shots. Only Jacobsen and Chris Andersen (3-for-5) shot 50% or better for the Hornets.
The Sonics recorded their 10th win by 15 points or more.
Seattle took control of the game by outscoring New Orleans 30-21 in the third quarter.
All 12 players on the Sonics roster saw action and scored.
2004-05 Postgame Quotes/Notes Archive
