Wizards run past Sonics

WASHINGTON – The Washington Wizards had just won their second straight game by more than 20 points, but coach Eddie Jordan wasn’t happy.

At halftime of Washington’s 108-86 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Sunday, Jordan lectured the team.

“We’re not that good,” Jordan told them.

Washington raced to a 31-17 first-quarter lead, while Seattle missed 10 of its first 13 shots in getting off to a sluggish start. Perhaps the Wizards were convinced they were about to win again easily, as they did in Milwaukee on Friday night.

Jordan wasn’t.

“We’re not Boston. We’re not Detroit. I wanted to put reality on the table,” Jordan said.

Seattle never led. The closest the SuperSonics got was 43-42 with 3:02 to play in the half. The Wizards led 52-46 at the half, and let Seattle play with them through most of the third quarter before outscoring them 32-9 to take a 106-78 lead with 2:58 to play.

Caron Butler led Washington with 33 points, his third game of 30 or more points this season. It was the first time the Wizards won by more than 20 twice in a row since December 2004.

“I want to see him against the best players – with the monsters coming in. We’ve got Houston. We’ve got Boston, but who’s looking ahead?” Jordan said.

Washington is 17-15, but hasn’t beaten a team with a winning record since a Dec. 1 victory over Toronto. For the Wizards to prove they’re more than mediocre, Jordan and some of his veteran players know they need to see something more.

“There are some things I’m not pleased about with my bench,” Jordan said.

Antawn Jamison added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Wizards.

Before the game, Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo was worried about the game’s early start and jitters from his two homecoming starters. Kevin Durant, a Washington native who was the second pick in June’s NBA draft and Jeff Green, a Georgetown product from nearby Cheverly, Md., combined to shoot 11 for 34. Durant finished with 19 points, but Green had only eight.

“We have to be ready to play right away,” Carlesimo said. “We can’t come in casually, get warmed up and then turn it up.”

Wally Szczerbiak had 18 points for Seattle. Nick Collison had 12 points and tied a season high with 17 rebounds.