Sonics’ offense disappears as does streak

  • Rich Myhre / Herald Writer
  • Friday, January 4, 2002 9:00pm
  • Sports

By Rich Myhre

Herald Writer

SEATTLE – The Seattle SuperSonics built their recent six-game winning streak on smooth offensive execution.

When the offense came undone on Friday night, so did the winning streak.

The Sonics, attempting to carry their win string over into the new year, instead had a game in which they shot poorly, took care of the ball poorly and, ultimately, scored poorly in an 87-77 loss to the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. The defeat, before a second consecutive KeyArena sellout of 17,072, was Seattle’s first at home since a 98-94 overtime setback vs. Miami on Dec. 7.

Many in the crowd no doubt came to ogle Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson, the NBA’s MVP last season, and a Sonics team that has been both entertaining and successful in recent weeks. Alas, the folks on hand were not given the best of either. Iverson was, for him, very average with 22 points on 8-for-21 shooting, though he had a few dazzling layins and nifty 3-point bombs.

The Sonics, meanwhile, had one of their most dismal efforts of the season, with one offensive season low and almost three others. Seattle was just 6-for-14 from the free throw line, a 42.9 percentage that was well below the previous low of 55.0 percent vs. Detroit on Dec. 5.

Seattle’s 77 points was its second-lowest total of the season (the Sonics scored 74 points vs. Utah on Nov. 3) and the 37.6 field goal percentage was the third-worst of the season (31.9 at Miami on Nov. 6, 36.7 vs. Miami on Dec. 7).

“We played hard, but the ball just would not go in the hole for us,” said Seattle’s Vin Baker. “We missed a lot of the shots we’ve been making in the last six games. There was really a lid on the rim tonight, and I think that was the difference in the game.”

In addition, Seattle’s 20 turnovers were almost a season high (21 vs. Detroit on Dec. 5 and Sacramento on Dec. 19).

“We just didn’t do a good job of taking care of the ball,” said Sonics coach Nate McMillan. “(The Sixers) were not doing a lot of trapping. We were just careless. We knew this team is very quick and they play the passing lanes, but a few of those passes they didn’t have to move.”

It was not supposed to be this way, of course. The Sixers were supposed to be road weary at the tail end of a six-game, 12-day trip around the Western Conference. The Sonics, on the other hand, were well rested with five days off since their last game.

Were the Sonics sloppy because of inactivity?

“With the turnovers and the layups we missed, I think it showed we had some rust,” Baker said.

“We looked like we’ve been off,” McMillan conceded. “Our execution wasn’t as sharp as it was before we took this break. But you still have to play. And they just beat us on both ends.”

Seattle led just once in the game, a 2-0 margin on a Gary Payton basket in the early moments. From there the Sixers went on top to stay, and the lead was in double digits for most of the third quarter and all of the fourth. Midway through the final period, with Seattle facing a 19-point deficit, many in the crowd headed for the parking lots. Moments later, when McMillan waved the white flag by taking Payton from the game, dozens of other spectators called it a night.

Seattle substitutes closed the game with nine unanswered points to make the final score respectable.

The Sixers, McMillan said, “are a solid team. There’s a reason they were in the Finals last year. And as I told the team, that winning streak didn’t make us a great team and losing this game doesn’t make us a bad team.”

The Sonics were to fly out of Seattle this morning, bound for Memphis and a Sunday afternoon game that opens a three-game road trip. The swing includes stops in Chicago on Monday and Minnesota on Wednesday.

“Now we have to go out on the road and play just as well as we did during this homestretch,” McMillan said. “There are a couple of games we should get if we play the way we’re capable of playing.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, Nov. 6

Lake Stevens girls soccer, A-M volleyball face district setbacks.

X
Prep roundup for Nov. 5, 2024

Shorewood girls soccer and King’s volleyball advance to state

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Oct. 27-Nov. 2

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Oct. 27-Nov. 2. Voting closes… Continue reading

The Mountlake Terrace High School football team poses for a preseason photo (Photo courtesy of Mountlake Terrace High School).
Mountlake Terrace named WIAA Team of the Month for football

The Hawks were recognized for achievements on and off the field.

No. 6 Gonzaga opens season with historic rout of No. 8 Baylor

Bulldogs are ‘going to have a special year.’

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3), who got some receiver help prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, throws the ball during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 28, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (Joe Sargent / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Steelers, Lions, Ravens make moves at NFL trade deadline

Seahawks inactive in trade market, hold on to DK Metcalf.

Ron Francis attempting to get Kraken back on track

Seattle’s GM building talent pipeline for the future.

Lake Stevens junior outside hitter Laura Eichert hits the ball over the net for a kill in the Wesco 4A title game against Glacier Peak in Snohomish, Wash., on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. The Vikings won in four sets, 3-1. (Taras McCurdie / The Herald)
Lake Stevens volleyball claims Wesco 4A title

The Vikings get revenge over GP and down the Grizzlies, 3-1.

Tips Week in Review: Everett wins one, loses one

The Silvertips topped Wenatchee but lost in overtime to Tri-City.

WSU checks in at No. 21 in first round of CFP rankings

Cougars face an uphill battle to reach 12-team college football playoff.

The Padres’ Donovan Solano is tagged out at home plate in the second inning of Wednesday’s game by Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Mariners’ Cal Raleigh, Dylan Moore win Gold Glove awards

Former AquaSox second baseman Brock Rodden wins minor league Gold Glove.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald addresses the team in the locker room at Lumen Field after a 26-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Macdonald: ‘Everything’s on table’ to change Seahawks

Seattle’s staff will work during the bye week to fix issues that led to losing 5 of last 6.

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.