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Tuesday, Jan. 11 10:00pm ET
Sonics end 6-game losing streak to Suns | |||||
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 GAME FLOW
SEATTLE (AP) -- Gary Payton tried to keep his ego from showing. He claimed he wasn't out to prove he was the best point guard in the NBA. "We haven't been winning at home so this was a big game because we needed a win at home," Payton said after getting 23 points and 13 assists to lead the Seattle SuperSonics over Phoenix 101-88 Tuesday night.
It wasn't about Jason Kidd, Payton said. Kidd, who outplayed Payton earlier this season in Phoenix, had 12 points and 15 assists. Kidd shot 5-for-15. "We stayed in front of him and made him shoot the ball," Payton said. "If you double him, he'll hit guys for open 3s." Said Sonics coach Paul Westphal: "It was a superhuman effort by Gary. Thirteen assists, one turnover and 23 points. What more can you ask?" Seattle ended a three-game home losing streak and sent the Suns to their fifth straight road loss. Seattle had dropped six in a row to Phoenix. It was Westphal's first win as Seattle's coach against Phoenix, a team he coached from 1992-96. "I thought I'd be more giddy than I am," he said. "But it's still nice to win. After all, this is the fifth time we've played them." "Jason had a good game tonight," Phoenix coach Scott Skiles said. "There's a lot of burden on him, especially since we're not putting the ball in the hole." "Gary was aggressive on offense and that created shots for other players on the team," the Suns' Cliff Robinson said. Payton, playing 43 minutes, sank 10-of-21 shots from the field, including 2-for-5 from 3-point range. Brent Barry added 21 points and Ruben Patterson 17 for the Sonics. "Coach has talked to me about being more aggressive, but what that means is that I have to relax and shoot shots that are available," said Barry, who shot 8-for-12. Kidd, who outscored Payton 25-11 in a 99-86 win over Seattle in Phoenix on Nov. 21, left with 4:26 to go and Seattle ahead 94-74. Robinson led the Suns with 17 points, sinking three 3-pointers. Vin Baker of Seattle was in foul trouble in the first half and was limited to seven points and six rebounds. In the fourth quarter, consecutive 3-pointers by Rashard Lewis and Barry gave Seattle a 91-74 lead with 5:16 left. Two free throws by Greg Foster, an inside basket by Lewis and a pair of free throws by Horace Grant gave Seattle a 71-58 advantage with 1:09 left in the third quarter. The Sonics led 51-45 after Robinson made a 3-pointer as time ran out in the first half. Payton missed two free throws with seven seconds left in the second quarter. Seattle was on top 47-38 with 2:17 to go in the first half after a pair of baskets by Payton and a three-point play by Patterson. In the opening period, Rex Chapman and Robinson sank 3-pointers in the final 2½ minutes as the Suns went ahead 25-19.
Game notes | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Phoenix Clubhouse Seattle Clubhouse RECAPS Washington 117 Toronto 89
Seattle 101
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