Seattle gets first win

SEATTLE – Ray Allen scored 32 points and the Seattle SuperSonics picked up their first victory of the season by beating the Los Angeles Lakers 117-101 on Sunday night.

Seattle overcame a sluggish start, finally displayed some defense absent in its first two games, and showed its expected offensive potency. Allen made 10 of 16 shots and added six assists.

Seattle put five players in double figures and avoided its first 0-3 start since 1985, a needed victory with a five-game East Coast road trip looming.

Rashard Lewis added 25 points and Luke Ridnour scored 22 points with seven assists for Seattle (1-2).

In his second game since knee surgery, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers (3-1) with 15 points, but was just 4 of 10 from the field. He added nine assists and was assessed a technical foul in the fourth quarter.

The Sonics were allowing 114 points and 55 percent shooting in their first two games, continuing a trend from last season when they were the worst defensive team in the league. Los Angeles scored 118 against the Sonics on Friday, but the focus of Seattle’s training camp finally emerged on Sunday. The Lakers shot 49 percent and turned the ball over 22 times.

Seattle hit 12 3-pointers and outscored Los Angeles 66-41 in the middle two quarters.

Kemp eyes NBA return

Shawn Kemp was honored on Sunday night as part of the Seattle SuperSonics’ 40th anniversary team as voted on by fans of the franchise. Kemp, who played in Seattle from 1989-1997, was one of 16 players selected.

After receiving the loudest ovations during a halftime ceremony, the six-time All-Star said he will be headed to Italy next month to play for a team in Rome, and still wants another shot at playing in the NBA.

“I’ve still been in contact with a lot of teams. I played ball all summer,” Kemp said. “Between you and me, I would love a chance to win a ring.”

Kemp hasn’t played since 2003.

Among those honored at halftime were Lenny Wilkens, Nate McMillan, Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton, Xavier McDaniel, Spencer Haywood, and current players Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis.