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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SEATTLE (AP) -- The Milwaukee Bucks wanted to play better. They
just weren't up to it.
Gary Payton had 26 points and 15 assists Sunday night as the
Seattle SuperSonics staved off playoff elimination with a 101-88
victory over the Bucks.
The Bucks, who are seeking to wrap up their first division title
in 15 years under former Sonics coach George Karl, were led by Ray
Allen's 20 points in the finale of a seven-game road trip.
"The fatigue factor of the long road trip finally caught up to
us," Karl said. "The last two games hurt a little bit."
The playoff-bound Bucks lost to the Los Angeles Clippers and the
Sonics in the final two games of their road trip. They won four of
the games, including one at San Antonio.
"We've got to get better," said a disappointed Allen, a
teammate of Payton's on the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the
Sydney Olympics last year. "We've got to have better performances
if we're going to get to the Eastern Conference finals like we
want."
Seattle led by 27 points late in the third quarter, but the
Bucks rallied with a 17-0 run to cut their deficit to 79-69 with
2:15 gone in the final quarter. The Sonics then put the game away
with an 11-4 run with Payton scoring two baskets.
"When we started to shoot the ball better, the hole for us was
too big," Karl said with a sigh.
The Sonics beat Karl for the second time this season, something
that brought a long face to the veteran coach after the game.
"Coach Karl is very competitive," Allen said. "When we won at
the buzzer here last year, he was really happy."
It was Karl's second game in Seattle since becoming coach of the
Bucks. Milwaukee won 101-99 at the Key Arena last season.
Rashard Lewis added 20 points, Ruben Patterson 17 and Vin Baker
13 for Seattle, which has four regular-season games remaining.
The Bucks, who have five regular-season contests left, got 19
points from Sam Cassell and 17 from Glenn Robinson.
The Sonics outscored Milwaukee 12-4 at the end of the first half
to take a 59-40 lead with Payton scoring on a reverse layup and
Lewis on a fastbreak layup in the final minute.
"Nate (McMillan, Sonics coach) used the post game that I don't have tonight," Karl
said.
Said Lewis: "They're not a very physical team. They're kind of
small down low. We were just taking it to the glass on them."
"Defensively, we took a high-scoring team basically right out
of what they wanted to do," McMillan said.
"Anytime George can beat the Sonics, it's going to be something
that he'll be happy about with all that went on here."
The Sonics could be eliminated from the playoffs before their
next game -- against Golden State here Wednesday night. If Minnesota
beats Vancouver on Tuesday night, Seattle will be ousted.
"It's an unfortunate situation to be in," the Sonics' Brent
Barry said.
Game notes
Karl isn't done taking shots at Sonics president and
general manager Wally Walker. Before the game, Karl was asked what
he thought about McMillan, his former player who is now coach of
the Sonics. Karl replied, "I love Nate, but I'll tell you what:
There's a lot of quicksand around this organization so he better be
careful." McMillan received a four-year contract from Walker on
March 27. Karl was fired as Seattle's coach by Walker three seasons
ago. Karl has been fined $50,000 and $25,000 by the NBA for
criticizing Walker. "My greatest revenge is going to be my
success," said Karl, who compiled a .719 regular-season winning
percentage (384-150) from 1991-92 to 1997-98 in Seattle. ...
McMillan came over and hugged Karl warmly before the contest. "He
really wants the best for me," McMillan said of Karl. Walker
watched the game from his courtside seat.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Milwaukee Clubhouse
Seattle Clubhouse
RECAPS
Miami 81
New York 76
Indiana 108
New Jersey 83
Sacramento 98
Portland 89
Toronto 100
Chicago 88
LA Lakers 104
Minnesota 99
San Antonio 84
Golden State 76
Seattle 101
Milwaukee 88
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