Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sonics hope to continue road success


The Heat, behind Shaquille O'Neal (32), try for their 15th straight win tonight versus Seattle. 
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

Seattle and Miami are among the NBA’s four winningest teams so far this season, ranking just behind Phoenix and San Antonio.

Yet when the Heat put their 14-game winning streak on the line tonight against the SuperSonics, Miami won’t be looking at the matchup as a potential NBA Finals preview or a measuring stick to see where it ranks against one of the Western Conference’s elite clubs.

Instead, Shaquille O’Neal and the Heat insist it’s just another game, no more important than the last one or the next one.

“We’re not going to win 50 more games in a row. I’m pretty sure of that,” Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. “They’re all games that you’re trying hard to win and they present different challenges, but we’ve been measured. We’re a good team. There are other teams that may be better on certain nights.”

Miami extended its franchise-best winning streak Saturday night with a 113-90 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats, getting 26 points from Dwyane Wade and seven players in double figures. The Heat shot a season-best 59.2 percent, and moved to 19-2 against Eastern Conference rivals.

Against the West, though, Miami lost five of its first six games of the year – before winning its last five. The Heat (25-7) enter the game percentage points behind Seattle (22-6) for the third-best record in the league.

“It’s a team that’s one of the best in the NBA and it’s a great challenge for us at home,” Wade said. “We just take it as another challenge.”

Kings 86, Spurs 81: At Sacramento, Calif., Peja Stojakovic had 28 points, including six 3-pointers, and Mike Bibby scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half for Sacramento.

Chris Webber added 14 points and 13 rebounds for Sacramento.

Wizards 104, Hawks 101: At Washington D.C., reserve guard Juan Dixon scored all 15 of his points in the fourth quarter to help Washington to a victory over Atlanta.

Larry Hughes led the Wizards with 26 points.

Clippers 89, 76ers 83: At Los Angeles, Elton Brand had 26 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles and Corey Maggette added 26 points.

Allen Iverson scored 35 points for Philadelphia.

Pistons 100, Celtics 88: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Rasheed Wallace had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead Detroit, which won for the fourth time in five games.

Suns 117, Trail Blazers 98: At Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire scored a career-high 50 points, including nine straight during a 12-2 Phoenix run in the fourth quarter against Portland.

Mavericks 123, Bucks 104: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 39 points and Josh Howard scored 11 of his 25 in the fourth quarter to help Dallas pull away from Milwaukee.

Rockets 99, Jazz 80: At Houston, Tracy McGrady scored 25 points to help Houston win its third straight game. Gordon Giricek had 15 points to lead Utah, who lost their fifth straight.

Lakers 99, Nuggets 91: At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored the Lakers’ first 14 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 42, carrying Los Angeles to a victory over Denver.