As superstitions go, this has to rank above wearing the same article of clothing for two weeks in a row.

On Friday, Sonic swingman Desmond Mason was late for the team's shootaround after his Range Rover broke down en route from his Renton home. Held from the starting lineup as punishment by Sonic Coach Nate McMillan, Mason responded with a season-high 21 points and strong play down the stretch. Sunday saw Rashard Lewis tardy to shootaround after being caught in traffic. Lewis too was held out of the lineup, and also had a strong game as a result, scoring 24 points -- and 6 of the Sonics' last 8 as they broke open a close game -- in the Sonics' 99-88 victory over the Indiana Pacers, giving the team their first two-game winning streak of the season.

Though Lewis stood out by his absence in the morning and presence down the stretch, perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Sonics' victory over the Pacers, who are beginning a five-game West Coast swing, was their balanced offense. Five Sonics took at least 13 shots, with four of those scoring at least 17 points. The return of Vin Baker from a knee contusion gave the Sonics another weapon offensively, as well as serving to somewhat balance their interior play with their perimeter play. For the first time since the beginning of their East Coast trip three weeks ago, the Sonics were able to play with a conventional lineup throughout the game as opposed to consistently using players out of position.

The effect of Baker's return was not immediate, however, as the Pacers started out the game hot behind the fine play of fifth year forward Jermaine O'Neal. O'Neal, who teamed with Lewis on the USA's entry into this summer's Goodwill Games, had 12 points in the first quarter as the Pacers took a 26-21 lead. The teams went back and forth in the second quarter, with Indiana's lead never getting above five. The Pacers lead by a 50-47 count at the half. The Sonics took their first lead since 3-2 at 55-54 with 8:34 to play in the third on a Brent Barry technical foul shot. The teams traded the lead throughout the quarter, with the Sonics establishing command of the game with a quarter-ending 6-0 run to give them a five point lead.

Indiana's greatest threat in the fourth quarter came with just under two minutes to play. After Reggie Miller hit a three, rookie sensation Jamaal Tinsley made the second of two free throws to cut the Sonic lead to 91-86. With a minute and a half left in the game, Lewis went to work. An 8-footer in the lane was followed by a flagrant foul by Tinsley as Lewis raced toward the basket on a fast break. Not only did Lewis make both free throws, but it was Tinsley's sixth foul, and the Pacers were forced to insert undrafted rookie Jamison Brewer as their point guard for a final run that never came.

Lewis' 24 on 7 of 16 shooting, led the Sonics. He also added 7 rebounds. Gary Payton, deferring to his younger teammates, took an uncharacteristically low 17 shots, scoring 20 points and handing out a team best 12 assists. Baker, in his return, was solid on offense, with 19 points on 8 of 15 shooting, along with 6 assists. Barry added 17 points and led the club in rebounding for the second straight game with 8 boards.

Despite being slowed by the Sonic defense in the second half, O'Neal had a monster game, scoring 23 points on 8 of 15 shooting and grabbing 17 rebounds. On the downside, he tried for a triple-double the bad way, falling just short with 7 turnovers. The Sonics forced 20 Indiana turnovers during the game. Miller, who needed 16 points to move into 20th place on the NBA's leaderboard for all-time scoring, did one better, with 17 points on 5 of 9 shooting. Tinsley had a fine game, scoring 14 points and dishing out 12 assists. The Pacers' leading scorer, Jalen Rose, had an off night with 11 points on 5 of 12 shooting. Sixth man Al Harrington also struggled with his shot, scoring 10 on 3 of 12 from the field.

Notes:
To make room for Baker, forward Antonio Harvey was placed on the IL with knee tendonitis ... there was an Olumide Oyedeji sighting, as the little-used sophomore big man played six minutes in the second half, grabbing one rebound ... with Baker's return, rookie forward Vladimir Radmanovic completely exited the rotation, notching his second DNP-CD of the season ... also grabbing pine time was Shammond Williams, whose chance to reclaim his role as backup point from Earl Watson (who played 17 minutes) appears to be over ... next up for Miller is former Coach Larry Bird, who ranks 19th currently in scoring ... three Sonics, Mason, Baker, and Calvin Booth, had 5 personal fouls ... the Sonics were a superb 24 of 27 at the line. Barry, who has struggled lately from the charity stripe, was 6 of 6, and Booth is 20 of 20 for the season ... Payton and Tinsley both received technicals with three and a half minutes left in the game for overaggressively jawing with each other.

SC.com Player of the Game: With all due respect to Baker's return, this one's for Rashard Lewis, with tardiness excused with fond rememberances of showing up 10 minutes late to high school Spanish every day.