It would have seemed that tonight's matchup between the Houston Rockets and Seattle Supersonics was over as soon as it was announced that Rocket star Steve Francis would sit out the game with plantar fasciatis. Instead, the game was still in doubt with 5:32 left in the game, when a Moochie Norris three pointer cut the Sonics' lead to 85-79. After a home timeout, the Sonics went on a 14-2 run that turned a back and forth game into an easy win for the Sonics.

Despite missing two starters -- Francis and forward Kenny Thomas -- the Rockets came out of the gate hot, leading for the majority of the first quarter as the Sonic offense was stale. However, Gary Payton and Rashard Lewis, who both had double figures in the quarter, shot the team back into a game and to a lead after one quarter. The second quarter saw Houston staying close thanks to fine play from rookie forward Eddie Griffin, who had 13 points while playing the entire quarter. However, the Sonics maintained a lead of 47-45 going to the lockerroom.

In the third quarter, the Sonics got untracked, finally extending the lead to double figures. With 4:49 left in the quarter, Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich, incensed by a non-call as Brent Barry stole the ball from Houston rookie Oscar Torres, went off. Tomjanovich charged the court, receiving a first technical just after Desmond Mason connected on a jumper from the right wing that gave the Sonics a 69-56 lead. Despite the best efforts of Houston's assistants, Tomjanovich would not calm after the first T, and was quickly ejected from the game to cheers from the home crowd.

The technical had little immediate effect on the Rockets, as the Seattle lead remained at 12 heading to the final period. However, the Rockets had one last run left in them, which they went on in the middle of the fourth quarter. During a rare period in which the teams played almost four minutes without a stoppage of play which would have allowed substitutes for each side into the game, the Rockets managed to trim the Sonic lead in half to the six point margin that precipitated the Sonics' final run. Breaking tradition, the Sonics did not go to Payton down the stretch. Instead, it was the hot Mason who got the call thanks to his favorable defensive matchup. Mason responded, and the Sonics closed the game successfully.

Despite displaying unusual offensive reticence during the fourth quarter, Payton led the Sonics in scoring with 24 points on 10 of 19 shooting, along with 8 assists. Mason's strong finish lifted him to 21 points on 9 of 14 shooting. Barry added 15 points, but more impressive and surprising were his team-high 10 asists. Lewis also had 15, but shot poorly, 6 of 18 from the field and 1 of 7 from three point range. The Sonics as a team struggled from beyond the arc, with an unusually subpar 4 of 22 effort.

Francis' usual backcourt-mate, Cuttino Mobley, picked up the offensive slack with 21 points on 8 of 17 shooting, but was held in check during the second half. He added 7 boards. Former Sonic Norris had a season high 19 points and dished out 6 assists. Griffin had a career-high 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting. Kevin Willis, effective as always off the bench, had 8 points and 9 rebounds.

Notes:
Forward Vin Baker was eligible to come off the injured list this evening, but remained in street clothes. He is likely to return Sunday evening when the Indiana Pacers visit the Sonics at 4 PM ... Mobley had the shot of the night, a three pointer from halfcourt at the close of the first quarter, but it was waived off ... Glen Rice, who has struggled in his first year in Houston, had a miserable night, missing all three of his shots and recording no other statistics besides 4 personal fouls in 24 minutes of action ... with Baker out, forward Art Long got his first start of the season. Despite solid play, Long did not see action in the second half as Houston matched the Sonics' small lineup ... Mason started the second half ... Sonic Coach Nate McMillan continued his indecisiveness on who to use as backup point guard. Shammond Williams was the second Sonic off the bench, but Earl Watson saw all the minutes and was effective in the second half.

SC.com Player of the Game: A fine effort by Desmond Mason, who has clearly improved his jumpshot this off-season.