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

Blazers down Sonics


Seattle forward Rashard Lewis defends as Portland guard Brandon Roy goes under the basket for a shot.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Zach Randolph scored 16 of his 22 points in the first half, rookie Brandon Roy added 19 points and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Seattle SuperSonics 103-95 on Friday night in Seattle for their first preseason win.

Randolph dominated his matchups with Seattle forwards Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison in the first half. He went 6 of 9 from the field and grabbed five rebounds as the Blazers (1-3) shot 61 percent in the first half. They shot 62 percent for the game.

Randolph returned in the game’s final minutes, as Portland coach Nate McMillan went with his starters to keep the lead. Before the game, McMillan said it was important his young team won in the preseason.

Seattle pulled within six points early in the fourth quarter, but Randolph, Roy and rookie Ime Udoka combined for 12 straight points as Portland pulled away, delighting Blazers’ owner Paul Allen who sat courtside.

Ray Allen led Seattle (1-3) with 16 points, 10 coming in the third quarter as the Sonics’ rallied from a 54-43 halftime deficit and briefly took the lead. Most of Seattle’s starters played just the first and third quarters.

Luke Ridnour added 13 points, and Rashard Lewis and Damien Wilkins each had 12.

Roy, an All-American at Washington last season, was 4 of 7 from the field and 11 for 12 at the free-throw line.

“The SuperSonics exercised their fourth-year option on center Robert Swift and their three-year option on center Johan Petro.

Last season, Swift appeared in 47 games and averaged 6.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Petro played in 68 games and averaged 5.2 points, 4.4 rebounds.

Suns extend Diaw’s contract

Phoenix Suns forward Boris Diaw has signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension, the maximum length allowed by NBA rules.

The deal will keep the versatile 6-foot-8 Diaw under contract through the 2011-12 season. It means Diaw won’t test the free-agent market next summer.

Warriors sell naming rights

The Golden State Warriors reached a 10-year agreement to sell the naming rights to their arena to Oracle Corp., the large Bay Area software maker.

The Arena at Oakland will be renamed the Oracle under the undisclosed financial terms of the deal.