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TONIGHT'S NOTES |
The Sonics extended their winning streak to three games and have won two straight at home.
Detroit lost its second straight game for the first time since Jan. 24.
The Sonics outscored the Pistons 26-20 in the fourth quarter. Detroit’s starters scored just four points in the fourth quarter.
The game was tied at 73 at the 10:24 mark, but the Sonics went on a 9-0 run and held Detroit scoreless for six minutes even.
Sonics center Jerome James scored a season-high 16 points and tied his season high with seven rebounds. James shot 8-for-10 from the field.
Luke Ridnour scored 15 points, just his second time in double-digits since the All-Star break.
Ray Allen scored 15 points, but shot just 3-for-17 (17.6%) from the field.
Rashard Lewis committed a career-high six turnovers.
Both Ben (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Rasheed (10 points, 11 rebounds) Wallace recorded double-doubles, Ben’s 19th and Rasheed’s 15th.
Ronald Dupree scored a season-high 12 points.
Seattle held a commanding 49-33 rebounding advantage. Four Sonics (Evans – 12, Fortson – 8, Allen -7, James - 7) grabbed at least seven boards.
The Pistons failed to score 90 points for the first time since Feb. 5 at New Jersey (85).
Both teams struggled from three-point range. Detroit was 1-for-11 from downtown (9.1%), the Sonics 4-for-18 (22.2%).
The Pistons shot just 16-for-27 from the free-throw line (59.3%).
The game was tight throughout, with 16 ties and 14 lead changes.
KeyArena was sold out for the 14th time, eclipsing the Sonics 2003-04 total
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March 4, 2005
SONICS COACH 
NATE MCMILLAN:
On the game:
These are the type of games you’ll be playing at this time of the season, where it’s grind it out. You’ve got to make breaks for yourself, you’ve got to have good execution, good defense, and you’ve got to play with heart.
On the team's strategy:
We’re just making adjustments to what we need to do and these guys are carrying it out. Defensively, we knew this was going to be a physical game.
On the keys to the win:
Offensively we had to execute. I thought 
Jerome (James) and 
Danny (Fortson) played well on both ends of the floor. Also 
Nick (Collison) and 
Reggie (Evans) who finished the game. It was just a well-played game by the guys in white tonight.
On the Sonics motivation:
We responded to the challenge tonight to beat this team. This was a team that really embarrassed us the last time they were in the building.
On James' performance:
Jerome has just been good these last couple games for us. We’re looking to give him the ball. He’s taking his time and being patient and giving us a low-post presence. Defensively he’s playing smart. He’s rebounding, blocking shots. Another good game by him tonight.
CENTER JEROME JAMES:
On the game:
Tonight it was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. We know that teams after the All-Star break are going to jump on
Ray (Allen) and
Rashard (Lewis) coming off picks, so coach wants us to roll to the basket. Fortunately for my team, I was able to be at the right place at the right time.
On whether this is the best he's played:
For this team? Probably. This is the best I’ve played this role. I really don’t focus on my own personal games. I mainly focus on my ability to come in and do whatever they need night in and night out. Tonight they needed scoring, and rebounding and hard fouls. Whatever the position calls for that night, I want to just come out and execute that role.
On getting the ball inside:
It makes me feel more responsible on the floor instead of just being out there setting screens. I don’t want to let my teammates down and I don’t want to let coach down.
DETROIT COACH LARRY BROWN:
On the game:
We didn’t match their energy and we got into foul trouble in the fourth quarter. We were trying to get to the line and we didn’t.
Rasheed (Wallace) didn’t score a basket in the fourth quarter. We settled for a lot of possessions where there wasn’t a lot of ball movement. Give them credit - they played great.
Rip (Hamilton) did a heck of a job on Ray. They had people step up. They had a lot of guys step up and play well.
On not making excuses:
I don’t want to talk about fatigue. It’s part of the NBA. We didn’t get in until late, but I thought our bench helped us. I don’t want to take anything away (from the Sonics). Nate’s team is playing great. They're deep and they aren’t afraid to play people. We just didn’t take opportunities to let our big people play. That’s not the way to win on the road with the people we have.
On the Sonics:
They were aggressive. There were some things that were a little disappointing. They went for loose balls and that was just effort. They went for rebounds and that was just effort. They did a lot of great things and that’s why they have won 41 games.
GUARD CHAUNCEY BILLUPS:
On the game:
It was a good game. We had our chances, but they got loose balls and extra rebounds. Where they usually shoot 3s, they were driving the ball. They were breaking us down and making our big men help out so much. They got a lot of rebounds. They played good.
FORWARD RASHEED WALLACE:
On the game:
I think we lost shot selection. Other than that, we went out there and played hard. They tried to turn it into a boxing match. We already was in one so we ain’t trying to get into another one. It’s alright though, they
Have to come back out there and see us.
On the bench:
Our bench always plays well. It starts with (Antonio) McDyess. He came in and hit some big shots. We got a good bench.
2004-05 Postgame Quotes/Notes Archive
