Sonics In Chasing Role For Home-Court Advantage Recent Mini-Slump Puts Seattle Behind Chicago For Best Record
The race for the NBA’s best record has suddenly turned into a game of tag, and the Sonics are “it.”
After leading the NBA standings for nearly four months, the Sonics awakened today a half-game behind Chicago. They have gone from being the hunted to the hunter - something the 51-17 Bulls promised would happen a month ago.
Furthermore, the Utah Jazz crept into a tie with the Sonics for the best record in the Western Conference. With their double-overtime victory Sunday at New York, Utah’s record is identical to the Sonics’ at 50-17.
On your mark, get set, go. The race is on for the coveted home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Perhaps it is time for Sonics coach George Karl to bring out his secret weapon: the February newspaper article that quoted the Bulls guaranteeing they would jump out in front.
Karl said he was saving the piece. However, what the Sonics need more than bulletin-board material is wins and a second wind. They are in the midst of a two-game losing streak and a stretch of five games in seven days.
“If we take care of business at home, we’ll be fine,” said point guard Gary Payton, who leads the Sonics against visiting Sacramento tonight.
Perhaps the one thing the Sonics have in their favor during the stretch run is home games. They play nine of their last 15 games at KeyArena, where the Sonics are 28-4.
Utah - 28-5 at home - plays eight of its final 15 games at the Delta Center. Chicago’s remaining 14 games are split evenly home and away. Even though the Bulls are 20-14 on the road, the defending NBA champs are feeling like a heavyweight with an iron chin.
“It’s always great to be out ahead of the pack,” Bulls forward Scottie Pippen said, “and kind of let them chase us and not really worry about it. The good thing about us is that we are a veteran team that has been in this position before. We know the importance of taking it one game at a time and trying to finish the season off strong.”
This is a three-team battle royal.
xxxx BEST OF THE BEST NBA’s top records: Chicago 51-17 .750 Seattle 50-17 .746 Utah 50-17 .746 L.A. Lakers 48-19 .716 Indiana 48-20 .706 Miami 48-21 .696