Sonics Lower The Boom Red-Hot Seattle Rides 3-Point Shooting, Defense In 136-109 Thrashing Of Miami

The Seattle SuperSonics haven’t lost on the road this year, and Miami Heat coach Kevin Loughery knows why.

“That’s the best we’ve seen a team play against us all year,” Loughery said. “It’s the best team I’ve seen this year.”

The Sonics notched their 10th straight road win Sunday, 136-109, for their 14th win in 16 games. Shawn Kemp led Seattle with 26 points and 11 rebounds.

The Sonics hit four 3-pointers in the first period and six of their first eight to blow the game open early. Vincent Askew’s fourth 3-pointer put Seattle ahead 30-15.

“We’ve been able to get on a consistent roll,” Kemp said. “We’ve got our confidence going that we can play ball at a high level and keep it going.”

Seattle had seven players in double figures, including every starter, in the first three periods. The Sonics went over 100 points in the third quarter.

Miami had not allowed its last six opponents to go over 100 in a game.

The Sonics haven’t lost on the road since falling to the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 29, 1994.

Kendall Gill scored 21 points for Seattle, Gary Payton and Detlef Schrempf added 18 apiece and Sam Perkins had 14. Askew added 19 off the bench, and Nate McMillan had 10. Seattle shot 59.5 percent from the floor.

“We’re shooting the 3 right now probably above our talent level,” said Seattle coach George Karl. “When we shoot the ball well, we pass the ball well, we have confidence in each other and it builds everything. Tonight we got our hands on the ball a lot. Defensively, we were very active and it caused our game to happen.”

The Sonics hit 11 of 20 3-pointers. And Seattle had 12 steals, including eight in the first half when it opened a 64-40 lead.