Sonics rout Grizzlies
SEATTLE – Rashard Lewis and Damien Wilkins were swishing uncontested 3-pointers, Luke Ridnour was tossing between-the-leg passes on the fastbreak and Johan Petro was well on his way to outplaying Memphis’ Pau Gasol.
That was just Seattle’s first half. Memphis’ only win streak of the season never had a chance.
Petro scored a career-high 22 points off the bench, Nick Collison also scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and the SuperSonics raced to a 120-93 rout of the Grizzlies on Friday night.
The night was so easy for Seattle that Lewis spent the fourth quarter comfortably sitting on the bench after scoring 21 points.
“It was nice to get some rest,” Lewis said.
Most of Seattle’s starters caught a breather, as the Sonics were never challenged in picking up their third straight win. Seattle made its first five 3-pointers in the opening 7 minutes, scoring 40 first-quarter points and 69 in the first half, both season highs. The Sonics shot 58 percent and led by as many as 31.
Seattle’s offense was precise and efficient, helped by stellar outside shooting to start and a sluggish Memphis defense. The Sonics shot nearly 58 percent in the first half and made seven 3-pointers. Ridnour had nine assists in the first quarter and 11 by halftime, as Seattle led by 14.
Seattle’s blistering start meant a swift and decisive end to the Grizzlies’ first win streak of the season. Memphis beat the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and Portland on Thursday – the last team in the league to win consecutive games.
Chances at a third straight ended once Seattle started hitting 3s against the Grizzlies’ zone defense.
“I don’t think you can play a lot of minutes of the zone in this league because teams shoot the ball,” Memphis coach Tony Barone said. “They made shots early and they got off to a great start.”
Hakim Warrick led Memphis with 26 points and 11 rebounds, Tarence Kinsey added 20 and Gasol scored 16.
Petro made 11 of 14 shots, easily surpassing his previous career high of 16. He made aggressive post moves to the basket, and also showed a soft touch hitting several 15-foot jumpers.
“The first minute I was in the game I was ready to do something,” Petro said.
Wilkins – starting in place of injured All-Star Ray Allen – scored all of his 14 points in the first half, and Ridnour finished with 13 points and 12 assists.
Memphis closed the deficit to 12 early in the third, but Seattle scored 25 of the next 35 points. Earl Watson’s 3-pointer with 21 seconds left in the third pushed Seattle over the 100-point mark.
“We built that big early lead and didn’t have to chase them,” Lewis said. “It’s all about pride right now for this organization.”
Allen’s surgery set
The Sonics’ Ray Allen will have surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle on April 7. Allen also wants to have his right ankle cleaned out, but it hasn’t been determined if both operations will be done at the same time.
Hill would like to return
Bob Hill wants to return as coach of the Sonics next season. Sonics management is promising nothing.
“When the season is over, we’ll sit down and we’ll evaluate the whole team from top to bottom,” Sonics vice chairman Lenny Wilkens said before Friday’s game. “When the season is over, that’s my statement.”
Before Wednesday night’s game in Denver, Hill told reporters that he believes he’s earned the right to coach the Sonics next year – after suffering through a season of debilitating injuries to Seattle’s core players.
“But I don’t want to come back to Seattle just to come back. I want to come back to win,” Hill said on Wednesday.