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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Seattle coach Nate McMillan offered simple
advice to his SuperSonics at halftime of the game Thursday night.
"Coach told us at halftime that whichever team decided to play
defense first would win the game," Seattle's Emanual Davis said.
|  | | Seattle won with its defense and hustle with Desmond Mason beating Darvin Ham, left, to this loose ball. |
Seattle tightened its defense and capitalized on the absence of
Milwaukee's Sam Cassell down the stretch, beating the Bucks
108-102.
Gary Payton scored 22 points to lead a balanced Seattle attack
and Davis hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, but it was
the Sonics' rebounding and defense that was the difference.
Seattle outrebounded Milwaukee 25-20 in the second half,
including 9-4 on the offensive end, and limited the Bucks to 19
points in the fourth quarter.
The Bucks' lead in the Central Division slipped to 1½ games.
Milwaukee was slowed by the absence of Cassell, who left the
game with a strained hip flexor early in the fourth period. He
played only three minutes in the quarter.
"The timing of the injury was bad with Sam," Bucks coach
George Karl said.
Milwaukee has lost three of its past four and has been beaten on
the glass in its last four games by an average of 50.7-35.7. The
Bucks have allowed at least 100 points in six of their last eight
games.
"They dictated the energy the whole second half, and it made it
very difficult for our offense to overcome our deficiency," Karl
said.
Seattle won its third consecutive game.
"We've been shooting well," McMillan said. "Davis knocked
down some big shots. (Rashard) Lewis is healthy and did a good job
on the boards and spotting up on the perimeter."
The Bucks closed to 86-85 early in the fourth quarter when
Lewis, who scored 21 points, made a 3-pointer from the right wing.
Davis hit his first 3-pointer of the quarter to make it 94-88, and
added a second to give Seattle its largest lead of the game, 99-91,
with 5:24 to go.
After Milwaukee closed to 101-97 with 1:51 left, Davis
countered with his third 3-pointer.
"We weren't guarding, period," said Bucks guard Lindsey
Hunter, who played nine minutes of the fourth quarter despite a
deep thigh bruise.
Milwaukee was led by Glenn Robinson's 21 points. Tim Thomas and
Cassell each scored 20, and Ray Allen had 18.
Game notes
Milwaukee coach George Karl, negotiating with Milwaukee for a contract extension, declined to discuss the negotiations or his $50,000 fine for derogatory comments directed at Seattle
management. ... Listed day-to-day with a right thigh bruise,
Milwaukee's Lindsey Hunter entered the game late in the first
quarter and played 20 minutes... The Bucks announced that their
Saturday game with Philadelphia was sold out. It is the Bucks'
ninth sellout of the year, the most since 1994-95, when they sold
out 13 games.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Seattle Clubhouse
Milwaukee Clubhouse
Karl's criticism of Sonics costs him $50,000
Report: Bucks offer Karl richest coaching deal
RECAPS
LA Lakers 125
Detroit 119
New York 88
Toronto 72
Seattle 108
Milwaukee 102
Dallas 103
Minnesota 83
Houston 108
New Jersey 106
Boston 105
Phoenix 101
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