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Scarred Sonics Still Strong Enough
Memphis Hangs Tough, but Seattle Pulls Away in Late Fourth
By SonicsKevin
Playing 22 solid minutes, Vin Baker had eight rebounds, his high since returning from injury.
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Overcoming obstacles has become a theme so far this season for the Seattle Supersonics, as they
have endured a disbelieving national media, injuries to key players, and a loaded Western
Conference to make a return to the playoffs likely after a one-year absence. However, rarely have
conditions been as difficult as they became in the third quarter of tonight's game, as Rashard Lewis
was carried to the locker room. It was more bad injury news on a day that was supposed to be
positive because of Earl Watson's return from a separated shoulder. However, to make room for
Watson, center Art Long went onto the injured list, out for two-four weeks with a tear of his
hamstring. Later, rumors began flying that Gary Payton, who injured his back in a fall on Monday
night induced by Utah center Greg Ostertag, might miss a rare game due to injury. Lewis' injury --
preliminarily deemed a sprained ankle, pending x-rays -- was the capper on the terrible trifecta.
Payton, trooper that he is, continued his streak of being the only Seattle player to play in -- and start -- every game this season. However, even his strong first half was hardly enough to put away a pesky Memphis Grizzlies squad that had its confidence buoyed by a stunning upset on Monday night of the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers in the Rose Garden. Behind a remarkable trip to the zone for Memphis point guard Jason Williams that saw him knock down 24 points in the first half, the game was tied at halftime on a late three by Willie Solomon. The game was still tied with just over a minute gone in the second half when Lewis collided with teammate Peja Drobnjak on defense and went to the ground, forcing the Sonics to call a full timeout. It became readily apparent that his injury was serious as Lewis remained supine, eventually requiring two teammates to get to the locker room. What was most disturbing about Lewis' injury was that the fourth-year forward had been playing his best basketball of the season, with 28 points and 14 rebounds against Utah on Monday night, and 12 points and eight rebounds during the game's first half. Suddenly, playing a team that had never beat them in KeyArena, the Sonics were in for a dogfight. They took a lead as large as nine on a Brent Barry three in the third quarter, but still could not shake the Grizzlies, who were within two points as late as 9:26 to play, at 72-70. After a 7-2 Seattle run, Memphis finally got some production from likely Rookie of the Year Pau Gasol, for whom the Sonics have been kryptonite. Despite five straight points, including a three-point play, midway through the fourth quarter, Gasol had his second straight poor outing against Seattle. His four for 11 shooting was capped by an airball as the game wound down, and Gasol has scored a combined 14 points -- 3.5 under his season average -- in the last two meetings. Nevertheless, the aforementioned three-point play brought the Grizzlies back to within 81-76 with three and a half minutes left, as it looked the game would come down to the final seconds. That's when the Sonics were able to find another gear and put away Memphis with a 9-0 run, the crushing blow a Barry three that pushed the lead to an insurmountable 12 with two minutes left. By making all six free throws inside of two minutes, Seattle was able to maintain a 14-point final advantage, 96-82. In the early going, it was Williams and Williams alone who allowed Memphis to stay competitive, throwing in nine of 12 first half tries for 24 points, including four three-pointers. In typical Williams fashion, most were circus shots with a high degree-of-difficulty score, drawing gasps from the disbelieving Seattle crowd. He made his first try of the second half, but Williams' hot streak was over, and he missed his final four attempts as the Sonics allowed him little space to operate offensively. On the defensive end, Williams was made to work against Barry, who upped his aggressiveness on the offensive end with largely positive results, including seven of 12 shooting, 17 points, and nine assists. In the end, both Barry and Williams were overshadowed by the other high-scoring guard of the evening, Payton, shaking off any ill effects of the injury which would have sidelined most of his teammates. Payton was nearly able to match Williams shot for shot in the first half, scoring 19 points. However, his contributions were not done yet, with Payton finishing with 32 points on 14 of 24 shooting, and nine assists. In a change from their usual mode of attack, Seattle dominated Memphis on the boards and with blocked shots despite foul trouble that hampered starting center Jerome James. Led by an impressive eight boards apiece from Vin Baker, who had a strong 22 minutes, and Lewis in 20, the Sonics dominated the Grizzlies, 49 rebounds to 36. James and Drobnjak, who was largely responsible for Gasol's difficulties, each blocked three shots, tying a career high for the rookie Drobnjak. The win, their 41st of the season, guaranteed the Sonics avoiding a losing record for the 15th straight season. More importantly, it allowed them to solidify playoff position, now five games ahead of the .500 Los Angeles Clippers, who sit in ninth place, and one and a half better than the Utah Jazz, chasing them for seventh place.
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