SEATTLE – There were hard fouls, bristling tempers and a handful of technical fouls.
In other words, all the ingredients of a good NBA rivalry showdown.
Even better for the Seattle SuperSonics was the outcome Wednesday night. Playing with the same enthusiasm and effort that had carried them to three straight victories, the Sonics added No. 4 with a spirited 108-78 whipping of the visiting Sacramento Kings at noisy KeyArena.
The win, combined with previously-unbeaten Utah’s 104-95 loss to Toronto, moves Seattle into a tie for first place in the NBA’s new Northwest Division, with both teams 4-1. It has been a remarkable turnabout for the surging Sonics, who were absolutely dreadful just one week earlier in a 114-84 season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Seattle’s four victories have come by an average of 221/2 points.
”I just like the way we’re playing,” said a pleased Nate McMillan, Seattle’s coach. ”We’re playing hard, we’re playing together, and for 48 minutes we’re giving a solid effort. That’s what we’ve been talking about.”
With notable contributions from both the starting lineup and the backup unit, ”it’s just been a total team effort,” he said. ”Our bench has come in and given us some good minutes. We’ve just been solid defensively for four quarters, making teams earn their baskets. And we’ve been controlling the boards.”
For Sacramento, the loss was another in a surprising early-season slump. The Kings, one of the Western Conference’s best ballclubs in recent seasons, began their schedule with three straight defeats and have now lost four of their first five.
After spotting the Kings an early 2-0 lead, Seattle broke on top and quickly stretched its margin into double digits. The lead was 33-20 after one quarter and reached 53-39 at halftime, though the Sonics were beginning to cool, shooting just 6-for-21 from the field in the second period. Seattle went without a field goal in one stretch of nearly six minutes before the break.
The visitors made one last comeback try in the third quarter, drawing within seven points midway through the frame, but from there Seattle took the game in hand. The Sonics closed the quarter with an 18-9 run to lead 76-60, and from there broke the game open in the final 12 minutes.
Sacramento coach Rick Adelman played his starters into the fourth quarter before finally tossing in the towel, sending in a lineup of subs with Seattle on top 98-69 and just under six minutes to play.
Both teams shot the ball poorly, and fatigue may have been a factor because both played on Tuesday night before traveling to Seattle. The Sonics, who finished 34-for-82 from the field, had beaten the Nuggets 108-88 in Denver on Tuesday, while Sacramento, which shot 26-for-78, earned a 108-92 home win over Toronto.
One Sonic who struggled was guard Ray Allen, who was 3-for-6 in the first quarter, but just 3-for-12 the rest of the night, including one span through the second and third periods when he made just one of eight field goal attempts. Nonetheless, Allen finished with 20 points to lead all scorers.
Seattle finished with a decisive 54-39 edge in rebounds, thanks largely to the aggressive inside play of forwards Danny Fortson and Reggie Evans. Fortson finished with 13 rebounds while Evans chipped in 12.
”That’s what I’m here to do,” said Fortson, who was cheered loudly throughout the game. ”I just play hard. Nothing exciting. I just go out there and rebound and set picks. That’s what I’m here to do.”
”I think (the fans) like Danny’s play and his intensity,” McMillan said. Noting Fortson’s nine offensive rebounds, he added, ”Danny’s coming in with the second unit and he’s giving us extra possessions.”
Fortson’s aggressive play under the basket, which is making him a huge fan favorite, got the better of Sacramento’s Greg Ostertag in the first quarter, resulting in a technical foul for the Kings center. Fortson knocked Ostertag down as they battled for rebound position, and as Fortson started for the other end of the court Ostertag stuck out his foot, trying to trip the Seattle player. Still riled, teammates had to surround the Sacramento player to keep him from confronting Fortson further.
Those fans who stayed to the end, and not everyone did, had a few highlights to cheer. One was the first NBA field goal of 7-foot Robert Swift, the 18-year-old center who was Seattle’s top draft choice in June. He took a pass from teammate Nick Collison and swished a 12-foot jumper from the right side, bringing big cheers from the fans.
About the only blemish to the entertaining showdown was the dubious officiating by the trio of Bob Delaney, Sean Corbin and Ed Malloy. There were several surprising calls, some obvious calls that were not made, and both teams often had looks of disbelief and frustration.
Ahead for Seattle are games Friday with Toronto and Sunday with Memphis before the Sonics head off on a 10-day, six-game road trip to the East Coast and Midwest.
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