For 30 glorious seconds, the Sonic plan worked to perfection. There was Vin Baker, finding nothing but the bottom of the net on a jumper from the left side. After a defensive stop, Calvin Booth stepped into a 20-footer from the top of the key that also swished through. After two possessions, the Sonics were up 4-0, and somewhere Wally Walker was smiling as his rationale for acquiring Booth and keeping Baker was proven.

Unfortunately, there remained more than 47 minutes left in the game, and the plan wasn't perfect for long. First the Blazers cut the lead to two, then tied the game, then went ahead and never looked back, maintaing control throughout a 113-92 victory that sent the Sonics spiraling to a season-long four game losing streak that has pushed them five games under .500.

Despite the final score, the Sonics hung around for most of the game, refusing to give up as they have on the road to several superior opponents. On a number of occasions, the Sonics rallied to bring the game within double digits, only to see Portland answer to halt the momentum. The final Sonic run got them within nine with five minutes left in the game, but the Blazers went on a 12-0 run that, for all intents and purposes, ended the game.

The Blazers dominated the opening quarter, led by the powerful play on the interior and on the perimeter of forward Rasheed Wallace, who finished with 28 points. On the other end, the Sonics struggled with turnovers, as they recorded five in the first period.

The second quarter saw the Sonics sparked by an unconventional lineup including all three Seattle rookies -- Earl Watson, Vladimir Radmanovic, and Peja Drobnjak -- along with second-year man Olumide Oyedeji and Gary Payton. This lineup gave the Sonics offensive life, but they still struggled to stop Portland on defense, as the Blazers shot 71.4% from the field in the second. Former Sonic Ruben Patterson and Bonzi Wells shined for the Blazers during the run. Wells finished the first half with 18 points on 9 of 11 shooting. The Sonics got as close as five during the period, but a Blazer run pushed their halftime lead to 10.

In the second half, the trend continued. The Sonics pushed the deficit under single digits briefly, only to see Portland recover.

The Blazers benefitted from phenomenal offensive ball movement. Two Portland players -- point guard Damon Stoudamire and Scottie Pippen -- had 10+ assists, Stoudamire finishing with 13 and Pippen 11. As a team, Portland recorded 34 assists on 45 field goals.

Payton led the Sonics with 21 points and 7 assists. Baker, rebounding from poor play of late, had 20 to go along with 8 boards. Radmanovic had 15 points while playing a career high 37 minutes. Brent Barry added 12.

Wallace's 28 topped the Blazers in scoring. Wells finished 13 of 18 for 27 points, and added 9 rebounds. Patterson, a spark off the bench as he was in Seattle a year ago, scored 19 points on 7 of 11 shooting. Dale Davis added 12 points and 7 boards.

SC.com Player of the Game: We're the first to criticize Vin Baker when he's struggling, but we'll also gladly reward his good performances. Tonight was one of them.