Once is a fluke, twice a coincidence, and three times a trend. If that old saying is true, what is four times? Clearly, it's not good for the Seattle SuperSonics, who suffered their fourth late meltdown in their last five home games, against the Dallas Mavericks in a 112-106 loss at KeyArena last night.

As the fourth quarter clock ticked down under the two minute mark, the Sonics looked to have an excellent chance to upend the Midwest-best Mavericks for the second time this season and end Dallas' franchise record eight-game road winning streak. A driving Desmond Mason layup with 1:47 left put the Sonics, who trailed the Mavs most of the final period, within one score, 104-102.

Dallas answered from an unlikely source. Instead of going to one of their top three scorers, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, or Michael Finley, the Mavs worked the ball to forward Juwan Howard, defended by Vin Baker. Howard, who had an excellent outing with 21 points and 9 boards, took a perhaps ill-advised 15 footer from the left baseline which swished through the basket cleanly.

Unable to get a much-needed stop for a third straight possession, the pressure was again on the Sonics' offense to keep them within one score. They were unequal to the task; after a timeout, the Sonics got a hurried jumper from the left baseline by Mason. Just a 27% shooter from three- point range, Mason's cast with his foot on the line was off, putting Dallas in a position to ice the game with a score.

Nash grabbed the rebound and headed upcourt, where he found Finley open in the corner. His try was off, but Howard had sealed off the Sonics in the paint and was in textbook rebounding position. He came down with the ball and went back up for a short hook which gave Dallas a six-point lead.

After a brief stoppage of play to correct a clock error, the Sonics got the ball back needing a three. They turned to Rashard Lewis, who had already made 4 of 7 tries from beyond the arc on a night when the two teams combined for 20 makes. He could not, however, connect this time, though the Sonics got the ball back. After a timeout, Coach Nate McMillan drew up a play for Seattle to attempt to get a quick two. Payton converted a layup with 24 seconds left, but the Sonics were forced to foul Nash, an 89% free throw shooter.

He made both attempts, starting the sequence again. Brent Barry drove the lane for two quick points, Nash made both free throws. By that point, the Seattle crowd, loud throughout the evening, had largely given up hope as fans streamed towards the exits. On their final possession, the Sonics demonstrated the same offensive ineptitude which has marred the four home losses in five games, dribbling around aimlessly instead of hurrying a three pointer, and were unable to even improve on the six point margin of defeat.

Although the game was decided in a slow-down halfcourt style, most of it was played in a frenetic, breakneck pace that likely reminded Nowitzki, Nash, Payton, and Dallas coach Don Nelson of their experiences Sunday in the NBA's All-Star game.

The teams combined for 74 points in a first quarter that saw matador defense at best. Slower Seattle stoppers were forced to play off Nash, allowing the deadly Dallas rifleman who was third in the NBA's Three Point Shootout on Saturday to score 15 points and make all five attempts in the first quarter alone. The Mavericks' lead went as high as 10 as they threatened to blow the Sonics out of the water, but the home team responded with a 9-0 run that drew them near and lit a fire under the disappointingly small crowd of 14,405.

Behind some rare stellar outside play from Tim Hardaway, harkening back to his Golden State days with seven straight points, and dominant inside play from Howard, Dallas revived the margin to nine halfway through the second. From that point on, the Sonics took command of the first half, going on an extended 20-4 run which gave them a two point lead heading to the lockerroom.

Seattle looked to be building a comfortable lead after the break when Dallas struck suddenly and without warning, running off 14 straight points midway through the third. Seattle was equal to the task, countering with a 13-4 run capped by rookie Earl Watson stealing the ball from Dallas on each of his first two possessions after entering the game and finishing at the other end with a short jumper and two layups. On a night where offense reigned, Watson and Lewis did bring some attention to the other end with five steals apiece, both career highs.

Payton, who struggled all night and made just 8 of 20 shots, did get it going in the fourth quarter, scoring six straight to open the period. Unfortunately, it came at the expense of ball movement and Vin Baker. Despite playing well with 18 points and a season-best 12 boards, Baker had only one shot attempt in the final period. Payton and Lewis, who scored a team-high 25, attempted to keep the Sonics afloat down the stretch as Baker and Barry, who tallied 20 points, only two in the fourth quarter disappeared. The strategy worked for a while, but when the Sonics were unable to stop Dallas' offense, they found another potential home win slipping through their fingers.