Landing in Spokane

The Seattle SuperSonics will wrap up the preseason portion of their NBA schedule tonight when they make their annual swing through Spokane to take on the Golden State Warriors in the Arena.

Tipoff is set for 7, and it remains to be seen just how much local fans will see of Seattle’s starters, considering the Sonics played at home against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

Coach Bob Hill has used his regulars extensively during the preseason, with star shooting guard and scoring leader Ray Allen averaging just more than 26 minutes per game. Allen, in his 11th season in the NBA, went into Wednesday’s game against the Kings averaging 18.5 points.

Of particular interest in tonight’s matchup was to be the play at center, where third-year pro Robert Swift – who came to the Sonics straight out of Bakersfield (Calif.) High School in 2004 – has apparently won the starting job from Johan Petro.

But Swift, a 7-foot, 245-pounder who has started four of the Sonics’ seven preseason games, hurt his knee in Wednesday night’s game and was expected to have an MRI today. Petro, heading into Wednesday night’s game, was averaging more fouls (2.8) than points (2.7).

Competition has also been keen at the point guard position, where Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson have been sharing time. Ridnour has started all five preseason games in which he’s played, but Watson is averaging more minutes

This will be the 25th time the Sonics have played in Spokane since making their initial visit in 1969. They are 17-7 here, and tripped the Portland Trail Blazers 96-85 last year.