Schrempf Extends Sonics’ Streak Forward’s Hot Hand In 4th Quarter Results In Sixth Straight Win, 97-88

In his fourth game back from a 19-game stay on the injured list, forward Detlef Schrempf scored eight consecutive Seattle points to turn a one-point deficit into a five-point lead with 5 minutes left as the SuperSonics subdued the stubborn New Jersey Nets 97-88 before 17,072 at KeyArena.

“Offensively, we were searching for answers and Detlef stepped up,” Seattle coach George Karl said.

Schrempf, who had suffered a fractured leg, finished with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting and added nine rebounds and four assists.

“Every day my leg is getting better,” Schrempf said. “…I’m feeling good shooting the ball. I’m getting my legs under me and shooting a little stronger.”

Schrempf’s timely scoring helped the Sonics (32-11) win their sixth straight.

Throughout the streak they’ve been sound on defense, but their occasional problems in the half-court offense concern Karl.

“I don’t think we’re playing great basketball, just winning basketball,” he said. “I’d like to see a little better execution.”

The Sonics’ struggles were not centered on turnovers, an occasional problem during the streak, as much as an absence of crisp passing, solid picks and confident execution. “We were getting the shots,” swingman Vincent Askew said. “They just weren’t falling.”

The Sonics finished with a 46.4 percent mark from the field, including 30.8 from the 3-point line.

Hersey Hawkins missed five of his six attempts from beyond the arc while playing on a sprained right ankle.

Hawkins, who has a started in 257 consecutive games, rolled the ankle landing with a rebound in the first quarter.

“I tried to stick it out as long as I could,” Hawkins said. “I probably shouldn’t have kept playing on it.”

Hawkins’ injury limited him to 22 minutes and took away from his matchup against New Jersey’s Kendall Gill, the player he was traded for last June.

Gill scored 25 points, tying Shawn Kemp for game-high honors, and made six assists.

The other standout for the Nets was Jayson Williams, who “put on a clinic,” according to Karl, by grabbing 25 rebounds. Williams, the NBA’s leading offensive rebounder, had 10 offensive boards. In the first half alone, he had 16 rebounds - seven on the offensive end - as the Nets outrebound Seattle 30-18.

Those extra scoring opportunities enabled the Nets to stay within 45-41 at the half despite 10 turnovers.