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Sonics keep Clippers skidding

The Clippers' Cory Maggette, who scored 23 points, goes to the basket. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
The Clippers' Cory Maggette, who scored 23 points, goes to the basket. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

SEATTLE – Rookie Kevin Durant led five Seattle players in double figures with 18 points, and the SuperSonics beat the Los Angeles Clippers 95-88 on Wednesday night, extending the Clippers’ longest losing streak in nearly three years.

Los Angeles lost its seventh straight, its most since dropping eight consecutive games in February 2005.

Durant made just 5 of 13 shots, but was 7 for 8 at the free throw line and added seven rebounds.

Two of the biggest contributions for Seattle came from reserves Nick Collison and Wally Szczerbiak.

Collison missed the previous three games after breaking his nose, and wearing a protective mask, was ready to get back on the court. Collison made 7 of 12 shots, scored 18 points and had a season-high 17 rebounds in 33 minutes. Szczerbiak added 17 points, making 6 of 8 shots. The Sonics bench outscored the Clippers’ reserves 41-21.

Damien Wilkins added 17 for Seattle, which has won two of its last three.

Corey Maggette led Los Angeles with 23 points and Chris Kaman added 19 points and 14 rebounds. Los Angeles never found its shooting touch, making just 35 percent. Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley combined to make just 4 of 24 shots.

The Sonics built their comfortable lead with strong starts to the third and fourth quarters.

Already leading by eight at halftime, Seattle took a 12-point lead early in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Durant. The advantage was 14 late in the quarter after a three-point play by Szczerbiak, scoring as he cut through the lane, and then Seattle pulled away to start the fourth.

After a 3-pointer by Dan Dickau cut the Sonics’ advantage to nine, Seattle scored 10 of the next 12 points. The run started with a chuckle, after the Clippers’ Al Thornton twice jumped early on a jump ball with Collison, who easily won the jump when the ball was finally tossed. Wilkins ended up with the ball and banked home a 3-pointer with 1 second on the shot clock.

Szczerbiak added a 3-pointer and two free throws and Seattle had its biggest lead at 17.

Notes

Seattle played without G Delonte West, who has plantar fasciitis in his right foot. The Sonics could get G Luke Ridnour back for Friday’s game. Ridnour has missed the last 11 games with a left quadriceps injury.