Taking care of the little things.
For the past three games that’s exactly what the Seattle SuperSonics have done in putting together their first three-game winning streak of the season.
“We’re still not where we need to be,” Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said. “There’s a lot of good signs, but we still need to keep getting better.”
The Sonics started playing better two weeks ago, nearly defeating the Houston Rockets on the last game of a four-game road trip. But Seattle’s improved play didn’t show up in the win column until four games later.
Between that time Seattle suffered another loss to Houston, this time at home, and ensuing setbacks to Atlanta and Sacramento.
However, the Sonics finally got their breakthrough win against the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs last Tuesday, and followed up that victory by defeating the Spurs’ opponent in the finals, Cleveland Cavaliers, two days later, albeit without LeBron James.
The Sonics’ latest win was an 86-85 victory over New York on Saturday.
Along with better execution at the end of games, the key for Seattle has been its dominance on the boards. The Sonics have outrebounded their opponent by an average of 11 rebounds per game during the last three games, and have averaged 12.7 offensive rebounds a game.
The Sonics also have played solid defense, holding their opponents to an average of just 42 percent shooting over the last three games.
Strong efforts from Chris Wilcox have helped carry Seattle during the team’s win streak. Wilcox is averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds over the last three games.
“We’ve been coming out and executing on both ends pretty well lately,” Seattle swingman Damien Wilkins said. “And if we continue to do that I think we’ll continue to have good results.”
Chicago brings a 18-28 record into tonight’s game. The Bulls won the first game against the Sonics this season in Chicago in a blowout, 123-96, on Dec. 11.
The Bulls have lost four of their last five games, including a 105-101 setback at Sacramento on Saturday.
Chicago guard Ben Gordon returned to action Saturday after missing five games with a sprained right wrist. Gordon finished with 33 points in a loss against the Kings.
Chicago forward Luol Deng is sidelined with tendinitis in his Achilles’ tendon that has kept him out of 10 of the Chicago’s last 15 games, including six straight.
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