Sonics’ losing streak reaches 10

Sat., March 22, 2008

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant scored 23 points, seven of his teammates also scored in double digits, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat Seattle 130-105 on Friday night, sending the SuperSonics to their 10th straight loss and completing a sweep of the four-game season series.

The Western Conference-leading Lakers returned to Staples Center from an arduous 2-2 road trip that concluded with victories over Dallas and Utah. They never trailed in their sixth straight win over the Sonics, whose 16-53 record is the second worst in the NBA.

Lakers center Pau Gasol, who sprained his left ankle during the opening game of the trip, missed his fourth straight contest. The day’s signing of 33-year-old forward Ira Newble to a 10-day contract enabled coach Phil Jackson to dress 11 players and fortify a roster further handcuffed by lengthy injuries to Andrew Bynum, Trevor Ariza and Chris Mihm.

Luke Walton scored all of his 17 points in the fourth quarter while Bryant, Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher remained on the bench. All Lakers starters – including former Gonzaga University star Ronny Turiaf (14 points) – scored in double digits, and the team is 14-1 when that happens.

Rookie Kevin Durant had 20 points for the Sonics, a year and three days after his Texas Longhorns were bounced from the NCAA tournament with an 87-68 loss to USC in the East Region. He averaged 19.8 points and shot 38.4 percent (28 for 73) in the four games against the Lakers – missing 20 of 26 shots against them in an overtime loss on Jan. 14 at Seattle.

This is the first time in the franchise’s 41-year history that the Sonics have had two double-digit losing streaks in the same season. They began their first season under coach P.J. Carlesimo with eight straight losses, then dropped club-record 14 in a row from Dec. 31 through Jan. 27.

Seattle would have to win eight of its final 13 games to avoid matching the team’s worst record, which was set during the inaugural 1967-68 season. The Sonics have lost eight straight on the road and 19 of the last 21 away from KeyArena.

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LAKERS	130
SONICS	105
Today: Seattle at Utah, 6 p.m. TV: KQUP 24

Sonics’ losing streak reaches 10

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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