Sonics handle Cavs

SEATTLE – Rashard Lewis scored 26 points and the Seattle SuperSonics overcame a 34-point performance by LeBron James for a 115-108 NBA victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.

Lewis had his fifth straight game of at least 20 points, and Seattle won its second straight after dropping three in a row.

Larry Hughes scored 21 points for Cleveland and reserve Damon Jones hit five 3-pointers and added 16 points as the Cavaliers dropped the opener of a three-game West Coast road trip.

Ray Allen, who finished with 21 points, made his first field goal of the second half with 10:16 left, then scored seven points in the final 3:36. His 10-footer in the lane broke a 98-all tie. He added a driving layup with 2:31 left and his 3-pointer with 1:22 remaining gave Seattle a 109-103 lead.

Ronald Murray added a season-best 24 in a reserve role for Seattle, including a difficult baseline reverse with 29.8 left to give the Sonics a 111-106 lead.

James, who had his ninth game of 30 or more points this season, shot 14 for 27 and finished with eight assists. He was held without a field goal for a total of 13 1/2 minutes in the second and third quarters, and managed just a free throw.

After James scored his first points in more than 8 minutes late in the fourth quarter, Murray was fouled and hit two free throws with 16.7 left to put the Sonics ahead 113-108.

Vladimir Radmanovic provided the capper with a steal and dunk with 13.2 second remaining.

Seattle was embarrassed by the Cavs, 112-85 on Nov. 9, the middle of a three-game stretch in which Seattle lost by 25, 27 and 41 points. They played all but 2 minutes without Lewis, who injured his shoulder in the opening moments. Seattle was outrebounded 56-21, the largest margin in Cleveland team history.

Seattle reversed the numbers, outrebounding Cleveland 38-30.

An already contentious battle in the paint between Danny Fortson and Zydrunas Ilgauskas reached a head late in the third quarter. Already the recipient of two elbows from Fortson, Ilgauskas and Fortson collided going after a loose ball, Ilgauskas crashing into cameramen on the baseline.

Fortson was called for a foul and given a double technical after arguing with the officials and was ejected.

Cleveland hit three of the four free throws after the ejection, pulling within 71-63.

Seattle scored six straight, punctuated by a dunk by Lewis, making it a 14-point game.

The Cavs got within two at the end of the third behind seven points from James and two 3-pointers from Donyell Marshall.

Cleveland tied the score at 81 on a layup by Hughes to open the fourth.

Seattle maintained a tenuous lead. The Sonics never trailed and were never ahead by more than seven.

Radmanovic added 14 for Seattle, while Marshall had 14 and Drew Gooden scored 11 for Cleveland.

James scored 12 straight points for Cleveland early and 14 of 16, making five consecutive shots.

Meanwhile, Allen and Lewis combined for 22 of Seattle’s 26 first quarter points, making 9 of 14 shots.

Sonics 115, Cavaliers 108

Percentages: FG .481, FT .812. 3-Point Goals: 8-25, .320 (Jones 5-10, Marshall 2-6, Hughes 1-3, Jackson 0-1, James 0-5). Team Rebounds: 14. Team Turnovers: 13 (19 PTS). Blocked Shots: 10 (Marshall 4, James 3, Ilgauskas 2, Gooden). Turnovers: 13 (Hughes 6, Marshall 3, Ilgauskas 2, James, Jackson). Steals: 2 (James, Jones). Technical Fouls: Ilgauskas, 8:36 second.

Percentages: FG .518, FT .739. 3-Point Goals: 10-24, .417 (Lewis 4-9, Allen 4-10, Radmanovic 1-2, Ridnour 1-2, Murray 0-1). Team Rebounds: 11. Team Turnovers: 9 (9 PTS). Blocked Shots: 3 (Allen, Murray, Wilkins). Turnovers: 8 (Allen 2, Collison 2, Evans, Ridnour, Fortson, Wilkins). Steals: 9 (Allen 4, Wilkins 2, Radmanovic, Murray, Ridnour). Technical Fouls: Fortson 2, 3:55 third. Ejected: Fortson, 3:55 third.

A—17,072 (17,072).