Gelabale breaks out
SEATTLE – With Ray Allen drawing all the attention, Mickael Gelabale never hesitated.
Then again, Gelabale isn’t a typical rookie – not with five years of professional experience in Europe and half a season of tutelage from Allen.
Gelabale scored three of Seattle’s last four points, including a critical 16-foot jumper with 29 seconds left, and the SuperSonics rallied for a 102-100 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
“Day after day I feel more comfortable,” the 23-year-old Gelabale said. “I just hoped that I could hit the shot because it’s my job.”
Gelabale finished with 17 points, combining with Allen’s 36-point outburst to give Seattle its fourth win in five games.
New Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman fell to 0-2. Even more disappointing for Minnesota was squandering two five-point leads in the final 3 minutes of its sixth straight loss.
With the Sonics down 100-95 with 1:11 left, Allen hit a 3-pointer out of a timeout – his fourth of the night – and then stole Randy Foye’s pass that was intended for Ricky Davis.
With Minnesota’s defense flocking to Allen, Gelabale found himself open on the right wing. Gelabale had no hesitation and knocked down the 16-footer to pull Seattle even at 100-all with 29 seconds left.
“I always tell (Gelabale) go out there, be aggressive, do your job, and there are opportunities for you to score. So don’t be afraid to go out there and do it,” Allen said.
On their next possession, the Timberwolves went to Kevin Garnett, trying to give Wittman his first victory since April 16, 2001, his next-to-last game during a two-year stint as Cleveland’s head coach.
But Garnett missed a one-handed 10-footer, and Craig Smith fouled Gelabale on the rebound. Gelabale made the first of two free throws, giving Minnesota one final opportunity.
Garnett passed and Trenton Hassell missed an open 18-footer with 3 seconds left. Earl Watson was fouled with 0.3 seconds left and made the second free throw for the final margin.
Notes
Seattle forward Rashard Lewis has been given doctors clearance to start shooting again with his injured right hand that has sidelined the former All-Star since late December. … The Sonics recalled first-round draft pick Mouhamed Sene from Idaho of the NBA Developmental League.