Memphis continues Sonics’ grisly start

SEATTLE – Veterans told Kevin Durant there would be nights like this. Just about everybody told the rookie’s Seattle SuperSonics there would be a season like this.

Rudy Gay overcame a cold start to score 25 points and Kyle Lowry hit a clinching 3-pointer as the Memphis Grizzlies overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half to beat the winless Sonics 105-98, sending Seattle to its worst start in 38 years.

Lowry, who missed five of his first six shots, got a rebound off his missed layup and then swished a 3-pointer with 11.3 seconds remaining to clinch the first win of the season for the Grizzlies, in their first road game.

Durant, playing for the third time in four nights in a welcome-to-NBA life stretch, scored a season-low 17 points and was a woeful 3 for 17 from the field for the Sonics (0-5). The second overall draft pick missed his first four shots and then sat 10 minutes before finally scoring midway through the second quarter.

The Sonics play Utah at home Friday in an attempt to avoid tying their franchise-worst start from 1969.

One night after blowing a 20-point lead and losing at Sacramento, Seattle pulled to 100-98 with 48 seconds left on Durant’s fifth and sixth consecutive free throws in the last 2:14. But then they let Lowry get free – twice – on the decisive possession.

Mike Miller added 20 points for Memphis.