Opponent: Boston Celtics
When: 7 p.m.
Where: KeyArena, Seattle
TV: None
Radio: KJR (950 AM)
Probable starters: For Seattle – forwards Desmond Mason (6 feet, 6 inches) and Rashard Lewis (6-10), center Jerome James (7-1), guards Brent Barry (6-6) and Gary Payton (6-4). For Boston – forwards Paul Pierce (6-6) and Antoine Walker (6-9), center Tony Battie (6-11), guards Eric Williams (6-8) and Kenny Anderson (6-1).
During a season in which the Sonics have avoided numerous opposing superstars – Shaquille O’Neal, Vince Carter and Chris Webber are just a few of the opponents who missed games against Seattle due to injury – they will have to see two tonight.
The Celtics’ fortunes typically ride on the play of forwards Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce. Both players rank among the top 12 in the NBA in scoring, and both represented the Eastern Conference in last Sunday’s All-Star game.
“They cause you all sorts of problems because they are both players who can take you inside and bring you outside,” Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. “They have 3-point range, and they are good passers. They create offense for that team with their ability to take you one-on-one.”
Pierce and Walker combine to average 48.8 points per game, which accounts for more than half of Boston’s offense. The third-leading scorer on the team, point guard Kenny Anderson, averages just 9.4 points per game.
The Celtics, under first-year head coach Jim O’Brien, are in second place in the East’s Atlantic Division at 29-22.
Wanted: Bodies: The Sonics have been so decimated by injuries that only nine players were available to practice Friday. Vin Baker (three dislocated toes) and Desmond Mason (swollen wrist) did not take part in practice, while Shammond Williams was also unavailable for personal reasons.
Without enough healthy bodies, the Sonics held a light practice, mainly going through game plans and shooting free throws. McMillan said the team might scan the waiver wire for a player or two to fill in for the upcoming weeks.
“Today I didn’t have enough (healthy bodies) to scrimmage,” McMillan said Friday, “so that’s something we’ll have to look at.”
Crunch time: Entering this week, McMillan talked about the importance of winning at least two of three home games against tough competition. Now that goal is impossible, as the Sonics have dropped two in a row to fall to 25-25 on the season.
“The games that we’ve lost, the way we’ve lost those games, we’re not feeling good by any means,” said McMillan, whose team stayed close in both games this week before falling in the final minute. “These games we’re losing, we’re losing them late in the game. We’re making mistakes, and teams are making some big plays on us. We feel like we’re not getting any breaks.
“It’s one of those times. We had a similar situation last year at the All-Star break where we went on a losing streak. We’re going to continue to play. I think guys are playing hard throughout the games. We’re just not finishing.”
Seattle is currently tied with Phoenix for the eighth and final playoff spot.
Scott M. Johnson
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