Opponent: Los Angeles Lakers
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: KeyArena, Seattle
TV: KONG (Ch. 6/16)
Radio: KJR (950 AM)
Sonics coach Nate McMillan said before Tuesday’s game that defense will be the priority of the second half of the season, adding that playing time will be divvied up based on players’ production at that end of the floor.
“It wins games,” McMillan said. “When we do it, we look good. When you know you can come down and get a stop (at the defensive end of the floor), you have confidence on the offensive end, even when you’re shots aren’t necessarily falling.”
McMillan said rookie Earl Watson has seen a lot of playing time this season mainly because of his play on defense, while he would like players like forward Rashard Lewis to improve in that area.
Cuban speaks: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was in a familiar position prior to Tuesday’s game: holding court with the media.
The king of publicity shrugged off a $500,000 fine imposed by the NBA earlier this season for criticizing referees.
“It’s the cost of doing business,” Cuban said. “I just did what I thought was best for our organization.”
Going big: Seattle center Jerome James made his eighth start of the season Tuesday, and his third in a row.
“I want to look at that a little longer, see if that can be something for the future,” McMillan said. ” … It’s easier to go from big to small as opposed to starting small and trying to get bigger.”
The Sonics entered Tuesday’s game with a 5-2 record when James starts.
Scott M. Johnson
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