A tone was set on the first play of the Seattle Supersonics' 112-102 victory this evening over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota forward Joe Wolf got lost on a screen, and an open Vin Baker emphatically dunked to give the Sonics the lead. The message was clear -- Minnesota's 10-2 record didn't frighten the Sonics. The result was just as clear. The Sonics dominated the game, never allowing Minnesota to lead, and overcame a poor second quarter to easily beat the Midwestern Division leaders.

The game was certainly in question, however, with 5:35 left in the ballgame when a Terrell Brandon jumper cut the Sonics' lead to 6, 92-86. Immediately after, however, the Sonics went on a 9-0 run, holding the T- Wolves scoreless for almost two and a half minutes to put the game away. The main catalyst during the run was Gary Payton, with five points. Despite struggling most of the night with his shot, Payton came to play during the fourth quarter. Similarly for Minnesota, star forward Kevin Garnett was quiet much of the night until scoring 9 points in a strech of just over a minute after the Sonics' run. Garnett's contribution, however, was too little, too late.

After Baker's opening dunk, the Sonics came out hot from the perimeter to start the game. After one quarter, they led 33-22, despite being outplayed in most non-shooting categories. In the second quarter, the trend reversed, as the Sonics went cold and the Timberwolves used their enormous advantage in second chance points to cut the defiicit. Gary Trent was also a key player for the Wolves off the bench in the second quarter, scoring 11 points, including three three point plays.

In the second half, Brent Barry's three point shooting and the Sonics' fast break offense buoyed them back to a double-digit lead. Going to the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves trailed by 9, a situation they haven't faced much this season. In the fourth quarter, the Wolves continued to maintain contact before the Sonics' closing run finished them out to provide Seattle's first three game winning streak and bring them back to .500 for the first time since they were 2-2 three weeks ago.

The Sonics were led by the outstanding play of Barry, who had his finest game of the season tonight, scoring a career-high 31 points on 10 of 15 shooting, including 5 of 5 from beyond the arc. Barry also added 10 assists and 6 rebounds. Baker, in just his second game off the injured list, had 24 points on 9 of 16 shooting, and added 9 rebounds. Despite struggling with his shooting, hitting just 9 of 22 from the field, Payton finished with 20 points and 13 assists. Rashard Lewis, who had his limits somewhat limited in the first half by foul trouble, added 15 points and 7 rebounds, and Calvin Booth had 10 points and a season high 3 blocks.

Garnett had a phenomenal 'quiet' night, scoring 22 points on 10 of 15 shooting and grabbing 9 boards. However, he did turn the ball over 6 times as the Sonics forced 15 Minnesota turnovers. Brandon, once upon a time rumored to perhaps be wearing Sonic green and gold in a Payton trade, had 18 points and 12 assists. Wally Szczerbiak had an off night from the field, shooting 8 of 18 and scoring 16 points, though he added an impressive 11 rebounds. Trent had a tremendous evening. In just 19 minutes, he had 15 points on 5 of 7 shooting and added 7 rebounds. Reserve Anthony Peeler, a Sonic-killer of such magnitude that coach Flip Saunders calls him 'Seattle Slew', had 13 points on 6 of 12 shooting but hit just one triple. Forward Joe Smith also struggled with his offense, scoring 8 points on 4 of 13, but grabbed 13 rebounds, 8 of them offensive.

Notes:
The Sonics were pounded on the board by Minnesota, losing the rebound battle 53-34 ... in a rare ocurrance, the Sonics actually shot more free throws than an opponent, making 18-22 to Minnesota's 7-11 ... after scoring 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds against San Antonio's front line of David Robinson and Tim Duncan over the weekend, Minnesota center Rasho Nesterovic was held to 6 and 3 by the Sonics.

SC.com Player of the Game: Brent Barry's career night shooting the ball, fine passing, and strong rebounding make him a more than worthy recipient of PoG.