Ready for reality

Now, it’s time for the good stuff.

Not that the Seattle SuperSonics’ 111-107 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening didn’t have its share of entertainment value. In fact, an Arena crowd of 4,860 got into it pretty good, especially during the extra period, which saw Seattle’s Damien Wilkins score five of his 18 points to help turn back the Warriors.

But it was still a preseason game – the last of eight for the Sonics, who open regular-season NBA play at home against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

And to a man, they seemed happy to have the preseason in their rear-view mirror.

“Preseason is good, I guess,” said Nick Collison, who finished with a team-high 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Sonics, who went 4-4 in games that don’t count. “Personally, I wish we played about three less preseason games than we do. But it’s over now and it’s time for the real thing.”

Point guard Luke Ridnour, who scored 11 points, handed out 12 assists and committed only one turnover, echoed Collison’s sentiments.

“Just to get it over with is nice,” he said. “We had a good game tonight, and we’re ready to go.”

The Sonics, who closed their preseason with three straight wins, had seven players score in double figures as coach Bob Hill used his bench extensively and with great success.

Backup center Johan Petro finished with 16 points, while starting forward Rashard Lewis added 15. Leading scorer Ray Allen played only 22 minutes and scored 10 points, more than seven less than his preseason average.

But that didn’t seem to matter to Hill, who watched his starting center Robert Swift (knee) and backup point guard Earl Watson (dislodged tooth) go down with injuries in Wednesday night’s exhibition win over Sacramento.

“My big thing tonight was to get through this game with no more injuries, and we were able to do that and win the game,” Hill said. “It’s always good in the exhibition season, no matter how you use the exhibition season, that you get some wins.

“So going 4-4 and winning our last three is a nice way to end it. I like where we’re at.”

Hill was especially pleased with the play of Ridnour, the Blaine (Wash.) High product who has been slowed recently by a sprained thumb.

“I thought he was really special,” he said of the fourth-year veteran out of Oregon. “Luke was very active. He played well. That was a great way for him to finish.”

“It went well out there,” Ridnour said. “We got running, and when we do that we’re a tough team. But it’s still good to get the preseason behind us and get ready to play the regular season.”

Golden State, which lost for the first time in seven preseason outings, was paced on offense by Ike Diogu, who finished with a game-high 25 points. Warriors coach Don Nelson did not play either Baron Davis or Mike Dunleavy, his two top preseason scorers.

Sonics 111, Warriors 107 (OT)

Golden State (107)—Diogu 6-7 13-17 25, Wagner 6-14 5-7 18, O’Bryant 3-11 0-0 6, McLeod 3-8 0-0 6, Roberson 5-8 0-0 10, Ellis 9-17 1-2 20, Barnes 6-8 2-2 14, Biedrins 3-4 0-1 6, Foyle 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 42-79 21-29 107.

Seattle (111)—Ras.Lewis 7-15 0-0 15, Wilcox 3-7 5-5 11, Sene 3-7 0-0 6, Allen 4-11 1-1 10, Ridnour 4-6 3-3 11, Petro 8-15 0-0 16, Wilkins 6-16 6-7 18, Gelabale 1-4 0-0 2, Collison 7-17 5-6 19, Wilks 0-1 1-4 1, Farmer 1-6 0-0 2. Totals 44-105 21-26 111.

3-Point Goals—Golden State 2-11 (Wagner 1-3, Ellis 1-4, McLeod 0-1, Roberson 0-1, O’Bryant 0-2), Seattle 2-16 (Allen 1-3, Ras.Lewis 1-6, Wilkins 0-3, Farmer 0-4). Fouled Out—Ellis. Rebounds—Golden State 54 (O’Bryant 11), Seattle 57 (Collison 12). Assists—Golden State 20 (Ellis 5), Seattle 32 (Ridnour 12). Total Fouls—Golden State 24, Seattle 24. Technicals—Golden State Defensive Three Second, Sene. A—4,860.