When the Seattle Sonics are good, they are very, very good. So much was proven in the second quarter of tonight's matchup with the Golden State Warriors, as the Sonics made 20 of 22 shots and scored 44 points in the quarter. The only misses were a Desmond Mason jumper which was tipped in by Art Long, and a Vin Baker desperation three at the buzzer.

However, when the Sonics are bad, they are very, very bad. And they were very, very bad in the fourth quarter. That's why they found themselves in a tie game with 20 seconds to go and possession. Gary Payton, as he has so often throughout his 12-year career, was called upon to make something happen. Payton drew a double team and kicked to an open Rashard Lewis, who got a good look at a three. It was off, and the Sonics faced overtime in a game they had led by 20 at the half and 15 after three quarters.

The Sonics put their poor fourth quarter behind them by outscoring the Warriors 8-4 to take a four point lead halfway through overtime. They led by three with just over 30 seconds when Larry Hughes attempted to tie the game with a three point attempt. It was off, but Warrior guard Bob Sura was there to hit a putback and make it a one point game, 107-106. The next Sonic possession was Payton's again. He missed a jumper, but Lewis, who led the Sonics with 24 points and 8 rebounds, had his biggest entries into each column as he grabbed the ball and laid it up and in all in one motion to make it 109-106 with 13 seconds left.

Golden State answered quickly, as they chose to go for a two and got a layup with 7 seconds left. The ball was inbounded to Payton, who raced into frontcourt and past the arms of Golden State defenders, needing to foul him. Three precious seconds ticked off the clock. Payton then went to the line and, playing in his hometown, cooly nailed two free throws to force the Warriors to take a three. It was short, and the Sonics emerged victorious.

The game seemed unlikely to provide such dramatics when the Sonics held a comfortable 15 point lead with just under 5 minutes left. However, Golden State went on a 16-1 rally that tied the game at 96. Seattle got good shots and did not panic, but they simply could not connect, and also turned the ball over. A turnover led to the tying score, as rookie Jason Richardson raced the other way and was forced into a circus shot by a Mason foul. Unbelievably, the shot went in and Richardson converted the three point play to tie the game. After that, neither side could score and prevent overtime.

As noted, Lewis led the Sonics with 24 points on 11 of 20 shooting and 8 boards. Payton struggled with his shot, hitting just 6 of 21, but made 8 free throws to finish with 20 points. He also dealt out 12 assists. Vin Baker, who has played much better of late, was 6 of 13 for 19 points and 6 rebounds. However, he was forced to leave with 45 seconds to go with an injury, which may be a hyperextended thumb. Brent Barry was his typically efficient self, making 6 of 9 for 15 points and adding 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Mason had his best game since returning from a knee injury, making 5 of 11 for 16 points and 5 boards.

Richardson and Hughes led Golden State with 24 points apiece. Richardson did it on phenomenal 10 of 14 shooting, adding 8 boards. Hughes shot 8 of 18. Like Payton, the Warriors' leading scorer, Antawn Jamison, struggled, shooting 7 of 21 and scoring 17 points. He added 6 boards and 6 assists. The NBA's leader in offensive rebounds per game, Danny Fortson, was a monster on the boards with increased playing time. Fortson had 17 boards -- 7 offensive -- and scored 13 points on 5 of 9 shooting. Off the bench, Sura added 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Notes:
The Sonics' Vladimir Radmanovic returned from a sprained ankle which cost him two games and played 14 minutes ... fellow rookie Earl Watson had a fantastic 19 minutes of play, hitting all 3 shots to finish with 6 points, adding 4 assists and 2 steals, and not committing a turnover. Watson also had two dunks in the game, finally proving to Seattle fans he can get up ... Art Long started his third consecutive game, all Sonic wins, and had 9 points in 24 minutes ... despite a game tomorrow against Detroit looming, Sonic coach Nate McMillan used just an 8-man rotation ... Warrior center Erick Dampier missed the game with a hyperextended left knee, forcing Golden State to use Adonal Foyle at center. Foyle had been told last week that he would be out of the rotation, but played well, nabbing 8 points and rebounds in just 19 minutes ... guard Mookie Blaylock had a team-high 7 assists in just 17 minutes ... forward Chris Mills left the game midway through the fourth quarter with a sprained neck ... Baker and Fortson each received technicals after a brief skirmish with 1:13 left to play.

SC.com Player of the Game: If Rashard Lewis keeps playing like this, I'll have to eat crow about saying he wasn't star caliber ... not that I'll be upset, mind you.