The helpless Rockets were taken out of the game nearly immediately, leading for a grand total of just 20 seconds at 4-3. After Gary Payton made a jumper as part of his seven straight points to start the game, the Sonics would not look back in exacting payback for a 101-98 loss in Houston last Tuesday.

Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich, trying to do something to stop the bleeding, first called for timeout at the 6:11 mark after a Peja Drobnjak dunk gave the Sonics an 18-8 lead. The stoppage of play did not end Seattle's momentum, and less than three minutes later, Tomjanovich was on the court signaling for a TO even before Payton had laid the ball in to complete a lightning-fast 6-0 blitzkrieg.

Payton completed his 13-point first quarter outburst with a score inside the period's final thirty seconds which gave the Sonics a 15-point lead after one. Including Tuesday's blowout of the Warriors, Seattle had at that point scored at least 35 points -- in this case, 36 -- in three of its last five quarters.

However, the Rockets were hardly through the Sonics' spin cycle. In the second quarter, the ungrateful hosts clamped down defensively, stifling any Houston advances. The Rockets were held scoreless for a four minute stretch late in the quarter, with a simultaneous 10-0 run in Seattle's favor turning the game from a blowout into a laugher which saw the Sonics leading by 28 points before a Houston 'run' cut the deficit to 27 at the half.

The second quarter also saw Sonic reserve Desmond Mason, celebrating his bobblehead day and avoiding the repudiated curse which saw teammate Rashard Lewis ejected on the night fans clutched his likeness, establish himself. Mason had 10 of his team-high 22 points in the first half, and was so hot that fans only half-expected that he would miss a 27-foot heave to try to beat the halftime buzzer.

Seattle did come out a bit listless to begin the second half, with the Rockets perhaps holding out some hopes of comeback when they opened on an 8-2 run. With the clock on their side, the Sonics were content to trade baskets for the rest of the quarter, and got a big break when Houston's all-star guard Steve Francis picked up his fourth foul at the 6:47 mark and was forced to the sidelines for the rest of the quarter.

It was just another part of a miserable night for Francis, who struggled through a 3 of 15 shooting performance while playing against Payton, who many Sonic fans felt should have started in the all-star game over Francis. The Seattle backcourt dominated a strong Houston duo with a performance that was remarkable for its efficiency. Payton and Brent Barry combined for 41 points on 15 of 22 shooting, chipping in 16 assists and just three turnovers. The vast majority of Francis and Mobley's 32 points came in the second half, and, tellingly, neither scored in the decisive second quarter.

In the fourth quarter, with Payton resting comfortably on the sidelines in anticipation of tomorrow's game with Denver, the Seattle reserves put up a strong offensive performance to reach 110 points and reward their fans with Taco Bell chalupas for the second straight game. They concluded the game on a 14-2 run to provide the final 30-point margin. Besides allowing the Sonic starters to rest, the blowout allowed coach Nate McMillan to again give Vin Baker, playing his second game since returning from the injured list, a chance to work into game shape without hurting the team. Baker, who made three of four shots and scored six points, looked much less rusty and in sync with the team than he had Tuesday, though he was charged with four turnovers.

If Drobnjak's play the last two games is any indication, Baker may have a difficult time reclaiming his starting power forward job. The Yugoslavian rookie has responded beautifully to a promotion Tuesday to the starting lineup, helping the Sonics get off to quick starts in both wins. Tonight, he recorded his first NBA double-double, adding 10 points to a career-high 11 rebounds.

Box Score