Sonics say defense triggered Allen”s heroics

SEATTLE – Ray Allen was magnificent, tossing balls into the basket from every corner of the floor.

Seattle’s star is the first to admit, however, that his 45-point performance in a Game 4 victory over Sacramento wouldn’t have happened without the SuperSonics tightening their second-half defense.

“Whenever they’d get an opportunity, we’d get a turnover or a stop,” Allen said Monday. “It wasn’t because they couldn’t score – they can score. It was because we weren’t letting them score.”

Seattle took a 3-1 lead in the series with a 115-102 road win Sunday, and the Sonics can advance to the Western Conference semifinals with another victory tonight in Game 5.

“Down 3-1, it’s hard and it kills your confidence, but I think we’ve got a lot of guys on this team that have been in the playoffs before and know how to win,” Sacramento’s Kenny Thomas said.

Allen’s 45 points – which included six 3-pointers – were a playoff career-high for the five-time All-Star. He tied the Sonics’ playoff scoring record set in 1976 by “Downtown” Freddy Brown.

“I would have to imagine when my career is over, I’ll probably put that one somewhere at the top,” Allen said.

Nothing could slow Allen as he bounced out of traps and came off screens. He silenced the infamously raucous Arco Arena crowd and showed why he’s considered one of the NBA’s purest shooters.

Yet at halftime it seemed unlikely Seattle would leave California in command of the series.

The fast-breaking Kings led 68-56 at the break, prompting Sonics coach Nate McMillan to challenge his team. He wasn’t happy about Sacramento’s 17 second-chance points in the first half or the 38 points they put up in the second quarter alone.

“He came in at halftime and stressed defense, defense, defense,” Seattle’s Rashard Lewis said.

The Sonics listened, then they acted. Sacramento scored 34 points in the second half.