Wingate Does Job When He’s Called

The biggest positive to come out of the Seattle SuperSonics’ 99-91 loss to the Rockets on Tuesday night was the play of seldom-used guard David Wingate off the bench.

The 33-year-old Wingate scored eight points in 19 minutes filling in for Craig Ehlo, who sat out at the last minute because of the aftereffects of a shot to the eye suffered in Saturday’s loss at Dallas. Officially, Ehlo, who dressed and warmed up before deciding not to play, has a corneal abrasion.

Ironically, Sonics coach George Karl had said before the game that he felt he hadn’t used Wingate enough this season.

“One guy who hasn’t played much who I have all the confidence in is David Wingate,” Karl said. “He’s an insurance guy for us. But I’d like to play him more.”

He then was forced to, and had to like the results as Wingate hit 2 of 3 3-pointers, the kind of production that hasn’t come really steadily off the bench from anyone not named Sam Perkins.

But Wingate wasn’t using the performance to make a case for more playing time afterward, saying he will do whatever is asked.

“I’ve just got to sit back and wait my turn,” Wingate said. “We’ve been winning so I’d be a damn fool to be complaining.”

Karl was noncommittal on whether Wingate - who had played only 178 minutes in 21 games coming in, mostly in mop-up roles - would play more now.

And he said again that he takes the blame for the struggles of the bench. “I’m doing about as bad a job with the bench as I’ve done in my life,” Karl said. “I wish I could tell you why. We have good players sitting down there and I’m not getting much out of them.”

Crutchless in Seattle

While Karl says that he feels the Sonics would be playing better with Nate McMillan in the lineup, he also said it’s time the team starts learning to win without him.

McMillan is likely out until the All-Star break with a pulled muscle, and has played only six games all season.

“My sense is we’ve got to stay away (from using McMillan’s loss) as a crutch,” Karl said.

“We’ve got to figure out both - how to play well with Nate, and how to play special basketball until he gets back.”

Record on tap

If Miami wins at Utah on Saturday, it will come to Seattle next Tuesday with a chance to tie the all-time record for consecutive wins on the road.

The Heat has won 14 straight road games, two shy of the record set by the 1971-72 Lakers, who won 16 in a row during their record 33-game winning streak.

If Miami wins those two games, it could set the record next Wednesday at Portland.

Notable

Monday night was Seattle’s 18th road game, tying the Sonics with Miami for the most road games this season. The Sonics have also played the most games (32) of any NBA team so far. The Lakers and Portland have played 31… . Joseph Blair, Seattle’s second-round draft pick, was in attendance. Blair was on a break from playing in Europe.