According to many NBA experts, if the Sonics had had their way this past summer, they never would have been able to win last night's game. Damon Stoudamire, Terrell Brandon, Jamal Crawford, anyone the trade winds might have blown to Seattle, could not have topped the performance by Gary Payton last night, as he showed the youthful L.A. Clippers that he still has a little something left in his 33-year old body.

Payton's dominating fourth quarter performance -- he nearly outscored the Clippers single-handedly in the quarter, losing 25-20 -- was enough to break open a close ballgame and deliver the Sonics their fifth straight victory, 101- 90. In the big picture, the victory brought the Sonics back to .500 at 15-15, tied for the eighth playoff seed in the Western Conference at the moment with the Utah Jazz, and a game back of the upstart Clippers, who dropped their second game in as many nights.

For most of the night, it looked like the matchup would be more memorable for offensive futility than brilliant individual performance. The Sonics raced out to a 21-12 advantage just over halfway through the first quarter, utilizing an up-tempo style and the fast break. That led to plays like a Sportscenter worthy sequence where Sonic guard Brent Barry went between his legs to trailing Rashard Lewis for a layup and a foul.

However, the Sonics went drier than Al Gore's sense of humor, scoring just two points the rest of the quarter as the Clippers managed to somehow take a lead by period's end, 24-23.

In the early part of the second quarter, neither side could score a basket to save their lives, but the Clippers benefitted by making good on a number of opportunities at the free throw line. For the half, the visitors from the south shot 21 of 21 from the line. Despite losing Lewis to a cut above his eye which required stiches, the Sonics rallied at the close of the period, cutting a deficit which had grown as large as 8 to just 2 at the half, 49-47.

Thanks to their success at the charity stripe, the Clippers led despite making just 38% of their efforts from the field in the first half.

After halftime, Los Angeles, playing without starters Eric Piatkowski and Lamar Odom, was little better offensively. They were also hurt heavily by foul trouble, as star forward Elton Brand and center Michael Olowokandi both received their fourth fouls during the third quarter. On the Sonic end, center Art Long had four fouls at the half and quickly picked up a fifth in the third quarter. With rookie Vladimir Radmanovic sitting out as a result of a concussion suffered last Saturday against Detroit, Seattle head man Nate McMillan was forced to summon little-used second-year man Olumide Oyedeji from the bench for emergency minutes.

After Lewis returned midway through the third period, the Sonics were able to put together a sustained run, and took a two-point lead heading the final period of play.

Then they put the game in the ever capable hands of the Glove, and it was lights out for the Clippers, who refused to quit but could do nothing but match Payton basket for basket at best.

With the fans chanting, "Ga-ry, Ga-ry," Payton went to the free thow line inside the final minute with a chance to tie his career-high of 44 points, set last March 4 in overtime at Minnesota. He missed the second free throw, however, and had to settle for a regulation-best 43 points, and, more importantly, a victory.

Payton's 44 came on excellent 18 of 27 shooting, and he added 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Despite the injury, Lewis was also key down the stretch, connecting on an important three pointer and finishing with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Desmond Mason, playing heavily with Radmanovic out and Lewis temporarily sidelined, had 12 points, while Vin Baker, back after a one-game absence with a torn thumb ligament, added 10 points and 9 rebounds.

More than any other Clipper, former Sonic draft pick Corey Maggette feasted at the line, making 15 of 16 attempts en reute to 25 points and 7 boards. Jeff McInnis added 20, though just 2 assists from the point guard position. Brand also benefitted at the line, making 10 of 10 for the lion's share of his 16 points. Breaking recent trend, however, he was held to just 8 rebounds after having double-doubles in 8 of his last 10 games. Quentin Richardson was the primary bench threat for LA, but had an off night, scoring 10 points on 4 of 10 shooting.

Notes:
Though he had a game-high 7 assists, Barry struggled mightily from the field, connecting on just 2 of 8 attempts, 1 of 6 beyond the arc ... After picking up three fouls in just 7 minutes of action, Earl Watson was replaced by Shammond Williams, who has fallen out of the rotation. Williams ended up playing 14 minutes, but the solid shooter was just 0 of 3 from the field ... Peja Drobnjak drew the ire of fans with several uncharacteristically ugly jumpers and two turnovers in 11 minutes ... Long ended up fouling out in just 22 minutes of action ... Darius Miles, who started in place of Odom, struggled from outside as the Sonics made him shoot jumpers. He hit just 2 of 8, including two airballs ... Led by McInnis' gunning, the Clippers had just 12 assists as a team ... Earl Boykins shot just 1 of 7 from the field ... Olowokandi posted a doughnut in the scoring column, but did tie for the team lead with 8 rebounds in just 21 minutes of action ... former UW player Eldridge Recasner got into the game briefly for Los Angeles in the second quarter.

SC.com Player of the Game: Hmm, don't have to think hard tonight. Gary Payton is the obvious winner with one of the better outings of his illustrious career.