Sonics thump Suns
SEATTLE – Nick Collison doesn’t necessarily agree, but a year ago Seattle coach Bob Hill didn’t feel comfortable with Collison on the court against Phoenix.
Collison wasn’t quick, aggressive or athletic enough to keep up with the Suns. That’s why Collison’s performances against Phoenix are such a shock to Hill.
“I don’t know what to say to you about him,” Hill said. “I’m flabbergasted by him.”
Collison had 22 points and 15 rebounds, to go along with Ray Allen’s 31 points in Seattle’s 114-90 win over the injury-depleted Suns on Wednesday night. It was Phoenix’s worst loss of the season, and a season low in points scored.
It was Collison’s second big game of the season against the Suns, as he had career highs of 29 points and 21 rebounds against Phoenix a month ago. That started a string of career-best play from the forward, highlighted by eight double-doubles in the last 16 games including Wednesday night.
That first performance against Phoenix was the catalyst in boosting Collison’s confidence.
“It got me going and this was just another good game for me tonight,” Collison said. “I definitely played better after that and was a lot more comfortable after that.”
Allen, headed for his seventh All-Star game this weekend, scored 17 points in the third as Seattle withstood a brief charge from the Suns, then blew the game open in the fourth quarter.
Amare Stoudemire had 19 points and 13 rebounds, but Phoenix was again without the reigning two-time MVP Steve Nash and starter Boris Diaw. Nash missed his fourth straight game with and injured right shoulder, and Diaw was sidelined for a second consecutive game with back spasms.
The Suns’ previous biggest defeat this season came last Sunday in a 13-point loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Allen eclipsed the 30-point mark for the 15th time this season, making 11 of 19 shots and taking turns sinking jumpers despite the best efforts of Raja Bell, Leandro Barbosa and Marcus Banks.
SuperSonics 114, Suns 90
| FG | FT | Reb | |||||
| PHOENIX | Min | M-A | M-A | O-T | A | PF | PTS |
| JaJones | 26:44 | 3-9 | 0-0 | 2-3 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| Marion | 36:54 | 3-10 | 4-5 | 3-10 | 4 | 2 | 10 |
| Stoudemire | 37:11 | 8-18 | 2-2 | 6-13 | 1 | 4 | 18 |
| Bell | 32:27 | 4-12 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| Barbosa | 44:23 | 6-18 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 5 | 2 | 16 |
| Burke | 15:54 | 2-3 | 2-2 | 2-2 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Banks | 28:30 | 9-15 | 3-3 | 0-2 | 3 | 3 | 21 |
| JuJones | 9:06 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Marks | 5:19 | 0-1 | 2-2 | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Rose | 3:32 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Totals | 240:00 | 35-90 | 13-14 | 15-36 | 16 | 23 | 90 |
Percentages: FG .389, FT .929. 3-Point Goals: 7-20, .350 (Barbosa 4-9, Ja.Jones 2-3, Bell 1-4, Burke 0-1, Ju.Jones 0-1, Marion 0-2). Team Rebounds: 7. Team Turnovers: 13 (14 PTS). Blocked Shots: 3 (Ja.Jones, Marion, Stoudemire). Turnovers: 12 (Barbosa 6, Ja.Jones 2, Stoudemire 2, Burke, Marion). Steals: 3 (Barbosa 2, Marion). Technical Fouls: Defensive Three Second, 5:52 second.
| FG | FT | Reb | |||||
| SEATTLE | Min | M-A | M-A | O-T | A | PF | PTS |
| RasLewis | 36:15 | 8-16 | 1-1 | 0-3 | 1 | 1 | 20 |
| Wilcox | 22:18 | 2-4 | 1-3 | 0-7 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Collison | 41:03 | 10-13 | 2-3 | 5-15 | 3 | 2 | 22 |
| Allen | 35:26 | 11-19 | 4-4 | 1-6 | 4 | 2 | 31 |
| Ridnour | 26:38 | 3-9 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Wilkins | 17:15 | 2-8 | 4-4 | 0-1 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| Petro | 12:55 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 2-5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Watson | 22:08 | 5-7 | 2-2 | 0-1 | 7 | 0 | 12 |
| Brown | 19:44 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0-5 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Gelabale | 3:32 | 0-1 | 2-2 | 0-1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Wilks | 2:46 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Totals | 240:00 | 44-81 | 17-21 | 8-44 | 26 | 20 | 114 |
Percentages: FG .543, FT .810. 3-Point Goals: 9-18, .500 (Allen 5-9, Ras.Lewis 3-6, Wilks 1-1, Ridnour 0-2). Team Rebounds: 10. Team Turnovers: 16 (12 PTS). Blocked Shots: 4 (Collison 2, Gelabale, Brown). Turnovers: 15 (Ras.Lewis 3, Allen 2, Ridnour 2, Watson 2, Wilcox 2, Collison, Petro, Wilkins, Gelabale). Steals: 5 (Allen 2, Ras.Lewis 2, Ridnour). Technical Fouls: Defensive Three Second, 8:32 first; Defensive Three Second, 2:34 first; Defensive Three Second, 4:51 second.
| Phoenix | 21 | 31 | 25 | 13—90 |
| Seattle | 30 | 33 | 29 | 22—114 |
A—16,809 (17,072). T—2:05.