Sonics edge Rockets 87-86

Published 9:00 pm Monday, December 29, 2003

HOUSTON – If the Seattle SuperSonics are one of the softest teams in the league, then the Houston Rockets are the filling of a doughnut.

Double jelly. With sprinkles on top.

The Sonics handled the Rockets both mentally and physically Monday night, overcoming extremely poor shooting to eke out an 87-86 victory before 15,038 at the brand-new Toyota Center.

Despite shooting 35.4 percent, their third-worst percentage of the season, the Sonics beat the Rockets for the second time this season, improving their record to 14-14 as they head to Memphis tonight for the final game of 2003.

“We stole a game tonight,” Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. “We talk about needing breaks. Tonight, I thought we got a break.”

Of course, because this is the NBA, the victory did not come without some form of controversy.

Because starting power forward Vladimir Radmanovic missed six of his first seven shots, and that on the heels of shooting 31 percent over his previous five games, McMillan did not start Radmanovic in the second half, going with Richie Frahm instead.

“I wanted some energy,” McMillan said. “He wasn’t shooting the ball well. That lineup wasn’t working. It allowed us to get back in the game.”

Radmanovic, who complained about not starting last season, said after the game he was fine with the move.

“It’s up to Coach to figure out what is working best for the team and this organization,” Radmanovic said. “And I am going to do what I have to do.

“It doesn’t make me focus more because I am focused every game. Putting me on the bench doesn’t make me focus. If I come off the bench or starting, it doesn’t matter to me.”

McMillan said he did not know what his starting lineup would be tonight.

“I’ll think about it,” McMillan said. “I want to watch the tape, talk to the coaches and sleep on it.”

When McMillan watches the tape, he will see an ugly game won by a team that simply committed less mistakes, in part because it was the aggressor, in part because it was more savvy.

In the fourth quarter, Houston (16-14) missed three free throws and turned over the ball six times, including four by Steve Francis, while Seattle made only three turnovers and was able to grab five offensive rebounds.

But he also will see that his benching of Radmanovic paid dividends at crucial times.

Four minutes into the fourth quarter, Radmanovic made a 3-pointer that gave Seattle its first lead. Then, with Seattle holding an 80-79 lead, the Sonics made three passes to find Radmanovic in the corner. He drained a 3-pointer that gave the Sonics the cushion they needed to win. Radmanovic scored 10 of his 12 points in the fourth.

“It’s hard to believe in your shot when you are missing,” Radmanovic said, “but I kept trying to be focused.”

The final plays were a microcosm of the entire game. Leading 84-83 with 10.7 seconds left, Rashard Lewis was fouled. A few weeks ago, he missed both free throws in a similar situation in Phoenix. In front of 90 family members and friends, he made both Monday night.

On Houston’s ensuing inbounds play at midcourt, Francis tried to pass to 7-foot-5 center Yao Ming. Instead, somehow, he threw it over his head and to Ray Allen.

Instead of dribbling out the clock, Allen tried to make a layup and had his shot blocked. He regained possession and was fouled, making just one of two free throws for an 87-83 lead.

Francis made a 3-pointer at the buzzer, too little too late in a drawn-out comedy of errors.