SuperSonics rally past Trail Blazers, Dickau

PORTLAND – Rashard Lewis scored 13 of his 17 points in the third quarter and the Seattle SuperSonics defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 99-89 on Wednesday night in the first preseason game for both teams.

Zach Randolph had 20 points and seven rebounds for Portland, which squandered an 11-point lead.

Former Gonzaga University player Dan Dickau, acquired in a draft-day trade, scored eight straight points and gave the Blazers a 35-24 lead in the first half. Jarrett Jack and draft pick Sergio Rodriguez made consecutive 3-pointers to give Portland a 53-45 halftime lead.

Lewis’ third-quarter outburst helped close the gap to 70-67, and Nick Collison’s layup gave Seattle a 73-72 lead. It was close until Collison and Damien Wilkins made consecutive layups to put the Sonics ahead 91-84.

Seattle guard Luke Ridnour injured his thumb and left the game as a precaution, but X-rays were negative.

Blazers coach Nate McMillan, a former coach of the Sonics, grew testy with the preseason officiating, and a particularly loud complaint late in the game drew him a technical.

Seattle finished last season 35-47, a year after winning the Northwest Division title. But the Sonics have their top eight players back from last year, including All-Stars Lewis and Ray Allen.

In July the Sonics were sold to a group headed by Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett for $350 million.