‘Seattle Slew’ strikes

  • Frank Hughes / The News Tribune
  • Wednesday, January 9, 2002 9:00pm
  • Sports

By Frank Hughes

The News Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS – With four minutes left in a tight game between the Seattle SuperSonics and Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, T-wolves guard Anthony Peeler found himself trapped in the corner with the shot clock winding down.

To avoid a turnover, Peeler jumped and threw the ball across the court to Chauncey Billups.

Knowing he did not have time to land, set himself and shoot, Billups caught the ball in the air and tossed up a shot from 21 feet away all in one motion just as the shot clock expired.

It swished, sending the crowd of 16,561 at the Target Center into a tizzy while the Sonics could do nothing but rub their eyes in disbelief.

“That just lets you know how the game was going,” said Seattle’s Desmond Mason, whose team eventually had its two-game win streak snapped with a 111-106 loss to the talented Wolves.

“That was some great play calling,” Sonics guard Brent Barry said sarcastically. “I haven’t seen a cross-court alley-oop pass in a long time.”

As it turns out, that was one of the few passes that Peeler made, because he was knocking down virtually every shot he took.

Last year, Wolves coach Flip Saunders called Peeler “Seattle Slew,” referring to the long list of scintillating games the former Laker has had against Seattle since coming to Minnesota.

In the teams’ first two meetings this season, Peeler was rather ordinary, but he more than made up for that Wednesday, making 8 of 11 shots, 7 of 9 3-pointers and scoring 26 points off the bench as Minnesota (25-9) defeated Seattle for the second time this season and the seventh consecutive time in this half of the Twin Cities.

“It probably goes back to when George Karl was there,” Peeler said. “When George was there and when Nate (McMillan) was there, we had a lot of battles when I was with the Lakers. We had fights with Ricky Pierce, and with GP (Gary Payton) and with all those guys. They were battles from the start, and they are games I look forward to.”

The Sonics and the Wolves are two of the best outside shooting teams in the league, so it was no surprise that this became an offensive shootout, with Minnesota connecting on 53 percent of its shots and Seattle 52 percent.

Sonics forward Rashard Lewis had a spectacular 30 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks, and made two 3-pointers in the final minute that kept Seattle close. Payton had 25 points and Vin Baker 23 points and nine boards.

The Sonics slowed sharpshooter Wally Szczerbiak, but Peeler’s outburst, as well as 29 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals by Kevin Garnett, was enough to send the Sonics to an 18-17 record after ending this three-game trip with two victories.

“You have to pick your poison,” Saunders said. “Do you set up your defense to stop (Peeler), or set it up to stop Garnett, or set it up to stop Szczerbiak?”

Seattle gets a one-game home respite against Cleveland on Friday, but then plays six of seven games in 11 days on the road.

What McMillan, the Sonics coach, can take from this loss is that his team, trailing by as many as 13 points, never gave up, fighting back behind the shooting of Lewis, who scored 22 second-half points.

But the Sonics knew their fate when Peeler made the pass to Billups, and Billups, filling in for the injured Terrell Brandon, broke their will.

“That wasn’t just one shot that beat us,” Payton said, “but you could just see the way the game was going at that time.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls’ wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Kraken rally to force overtime, fall in shootout

Streaking Red Wings too much for young Kraken lineup that showed some promise.

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.