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Sonics get hot, topple Grizzlies

SuperSonics guard Ray Allen grimaces with pain after suffering a sprained left ankle during the fourth quarter Wednesday. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
SuperSonics guard Ray Allen grimaces with pain after suffering a sprained left ankle during the fourth quarter Wednesday. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Rashard Lewis scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Ray Allen added 20 points despite a poor shooting night Wednesday as the Seattle SuperSonics defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 93-84.

Seattle, which shot poorly and never led in the first half, started connecting in the third period. The Sonics hit 14 of 22 shots, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, to build a 14-point lead.

Memphis mustered a comeback early in the fourth, holding Seattle scoreless for more than five minutes. But Memphis could get no closer than 82-80 with six minutes left.

With starters Pau Gasol (sprained right ankle) and James Posey (sore left foot) out, and reserve Stromile Swift wearing a patch to protect his scratched left cornea, Memphis was shorthanded.

Luke Ridnour added 14 points for Seattle.

Shane Battier, who suffered a cut above the left eye in the first half, led the Grizzlies with 12 points, while Lorenzen Wright, Bonzi Wells and Mike Miller scored 10 points each.

Despite the tough first half, the Sonics stayed close, trailing 47-45 at the break. Seattle managed only 34 percent shooting, including Allen hitting only one of his seven shots.

Allen finished 4 of 15, hitting only one of his six shots from long range.

The Grizzlies seemed in better shape early, making the best out of their makeshift lineup. Ball movement led to dunks, and Memphis pushed the ball in transition.

But poor shooting in the final minutes of the half allowed Seattle to pull close.

A dunk by Lewis to open the second half made it 47-47. Allen’s bucket on the next possession gave Seattle its first lead. Seattle shot 9 of 11 in the first six minutes, building the advantage to 10.

Seattle carried a 78-68 lead into the fourth period.

Notes

Memphis coach Hubie Brown said here is no timetable for the return of Gasol, Posey or Swift. …Battier’s cut eyebrow came when he was caught by Reggie Evans‘ elbow while battling for a rebound in the second quarter. He immediately left the court. After getting stitches to close the wound, he started the second half. …Allen suffered a sprained left ankle with 9:35 remaining in the fourth, but returned about three minutes later.