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Despite the fact that his Seattle SuperSonics rank first in the NBA in field goal shooting and three
point shooting, coach Nate McMillan is fond of pointing out that defense is critical to the team's
ability to win.
Perhaps that's not just coach-speak after all. With aggressive double teams stymieing the oppositions' top players and precise play in the passing lanes leading to steals and fast break opportunities, the Sonics have looked like a defensive juggernaut on this road trip. Their defensive magnum opus came in today's afternoon finale of the trip, as they finished up 4-1 with a 96-71 demolition of an overmatched Memphis Grizzlies team. Over the five games, the Sonics allowed an average of just 84.4 points per game, and their one loss (Friday in New York) was largely because of an inept offense and timely Knick offense, not any true defensive lapses. Memphis simply could not shoot straight save for an early game spurt that saw them take a 10-6 lead early in the first quarter, their largest lead of the game. All told, the Grizzlies shot 27 of 81 (33%) from the field and scored only 71 points, while being held to 12 points in a decisive third quarter and 31 for the second half. The 71 points are only three off the 68 that the Sonics held the then-Vancouver Grizzlies to in December 1995, which set a club record later eclipsed when the Utah Jazz could muster only 56 points in February 1999. Part of the Grizzlies' struggles were certainly due to their own poor offense -- they shoot only 43% from the field for the season -- but the Sonics were able to shut down even their two talented rookies, forward Pau Gasol and guard Shane Battier. Gasol is amongst the NBA's league leaders in field goal percentage, but the Sonics swarmed him whenever he got the ball, holding him to 0 of 6 shooting; all five of his points came from the line. Combined with Grant Long, the Grizzlies' starting frontcourt was 0 for 14 from the field. The normally collected Battier struggled from the perimeter, making 4 of 12 shots and 0 of 3 from beyond the arc. Early on, the game did not look like it would be a laugher which would enable McMillan to unload the Seattle bench in the fourth quarter. Although the Sonics were successful in transition offense, the Grizzlies matched them much of the quarter thanks to interior contributions from Lorenzen Wright, who had 14 points. It took a spinning, twisting Gary Payton layup at the buzzer to allow the Sonics to take a five-point lead after one. In the second quarter, the Seattle bench, which has been strong throughout this road trip, provided the team a lift. Desmond Mason (12 points) and Peja Drobnjak (10 points, 8 boards) sparked the Sonics effort from the perimeter, nailing open jump shots. Setting them up and guiding the offense with a masterful hand was Gary Payton, who was simply stupendous throughout. In addition to 13 assists, Payton quietly asserted himself on offense at appropriate times, making 7 of his 13 shots and scoring 20 points. When Payton exited the game halfway through the second quarter, the Sonics were up double digits. The lead dwindled a bit in his absence, but Seattle finished the quarter on a mini-run, with a dagger from Vladimir Radmanovic at the buzzer sending them to the locker room up 11. The third quarter saw the Sonics put Memphis away, outscoring them 23-12 to take a lead of better than 20 points. The Sonics thrived in transition off the Grizzlies' misses and turnovers, with one such opportunity allowing Brent Barry a reverse dunk to extend the Sonics' lead to 20, 68-48, for the first time late in the quarter. By the time Earl Watson went coast to coast for the Sonics' third straight quarter-ending buzzer-beater, the game was already out of reach for Memphis. That allowed the Sonics to rest their starters -- none of whom played more than 34 minutes -- and second-year forward Olumide Oyedeji got an extended run for the first time in several months. He responded, scoring five points and grabbing six rebounds in an active and effective seven minutes of play. Even with their reserves in, Seattle was able to extend the lead to as much as 29 before the final 25 point margin, 96-71, was established. The theme for the Sonics, besides defense, was balance, as the Sonics scored and rebounded by committee. Despite not having one player in double figures, Seattle outrebounded Memphis as five players -- Drobnjak (8), Payton, Radmanovic, Rashard Lewis, and Oyedeji -- grabbed at least six. Six players scored in double figures, led by Payton's 20 and also including Lewis (14), Radmanovic (13), Mason (12), Barry (11), and Drobnjak (10). The only Sonic to really struggle, the Freight Train, Jerome James, struggled with his shot but contributed outstanding defense. James blocked four shots, including one sequence where he rejected consecutive Memphis attempts. It was more than enough offense and rebounding to take care of business on a day when the Sonics proved they could shut down the opposition if necessary.
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