Jones sinks Sonics in OT

  • Tuesday, November 6, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

Associated Press

MIAMI – After getting a pep talk from Pat Riley, Eddie Jones delivered.

Jones scored 25 points, including the game-winner with 1.7 seconds left, as the Miami Heat overcame the absence of Alonzo Mourning for an 87-85 overtime victory against the Seattle SuperSonics on Tuesday night.

Riley had pleaded for Jones to take on more of the offensive leadership on a team that lacks consistent scoring. Jones didn’t disappoint.

“Coach talked to me today about making plays, not just being a “go-to’ man, but also getting my teammates involved,” said Jones, who added nine rebounds and three assists.

Jones scored five of his points in overtime to help the Heat snap a two-game losing streak and beat Seattle for only the sixth time in franchise history.

He also held up against Seattle’s Gary Payton, who scored 24 points to lead the Sonics and almost won the game with a 3-pointer at the buzzer following Jones’ bucket.

“I was really looking for the ball in the fourth quarter and in OT,” Jones said. “Payton was trying to take me out of it. I was looking for the ball and to be aggressive and attack the rim and make something happen for the ball club.”

Mourning missed the game because of food poisoning.

Miami also lost swingman Kendall Gill in overtime with a fractured left pinkie finger.

The Sonics battled back from an 80-73 deficit to force overtime as Miami went scoreless the final 5:31 of the fourth quarter. The Heat had two chances to win in the closing seconds, but Gill and LaPhonso Ellis missed shots.

Neither team scored in overtime until Jones drove for a layup and converted a free throw to put Miami ahead 83-80 with 2:22 left.

Sam Mack scored in the lane to push the lead to 85-80, but the Sonics tied it down the stretch. Vin Baker scored Seattle’s first points on a tip-in with 58 seconds left, and Payton tied it with a 3-pointer from the corner with 22.5 seconds remaining.

The Heat worked for the final shot, and Jones hit from 17 feet over Payton with 1.7 seconds left.

“I can’t play defense any better than that,” Payton said. “He pumped and double-pumped. I was right there and he still made the shot.”

Payton attempted a 28-footer just before the buzzer, but it rimmed out.

“When I shot it, I thought it was going in,” Payton said. “It went it, then came out.”

Sean Marks, making his first career start in Mourning’s absence, scored a career-high 15 points with five rebounds.

Baker added 20 points for Seattle, which shot just 32 percent from the field.

Still, the Sonics, who outlasted Orlando 123-119 in double-overtime on Monday, were in position to win at the end.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well tonight, but we were right there at the end, and that says something about our competitiveness,” Sonics guard Brent Barry said.

“If we keep giving that kind of effort, good things will happen.”

The Heat opened the third quarter with a 10-2 run to build a 54-39 lead and led by 17 points midway through the period. Seattle closed with a flurry, hitting three 3-pointers to pull to 67-61 at the end of the quarter.

“It was a great win for us,” Riley said. “I don’t care how you characterize it. We had some great contributions, and obviously Eddie had a great game. It was a great win for a team that was undermanned.”

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Gonzaga sets school record with 33 assists in blowout

The first half started with Khalif Battle hitting consecutive 3-pointers… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.