Allen-less SuperSonics prevail

Rashard Lewis scored 31 points to lead the Seattle SuperSonics to a 77-75 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night at Seattle.

Lewis gave the Sonics a critical four-point lead, 77-73, on a jumper with 24.8 seconds left. A pair of free throws by Corey Maggette with 9.3 seconds left brought the Clippers back to a two-point deficit.

The Sonics lost the inbounds pass to give the Clippers a chance to tie the game, but Elton Brand’s 16-footer at the buzzer hit off the back rim. Brand led the Clippers with 22 points.

Seattle was without leading scorer Ray Allen, who missed the game with inflammation in his left ankle. He has been dealing with the injury for the past month and decided just before the game that the ankle was not responding well enough to play.

Mavericks 95, Cavaliers 92: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 10 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and LeBron James missed two free throws and two 3-pointers in the final 13.7 seconds, letting the Mavericks slip by Cleveland for their franchise record-tying 14th straight victory.

Trail Blazers 127, Bobcats 90: At Portland, rookie LaMarcus Aldridge scored 30 points, Zach Randolph and Martell Webster each added 20, and the Trail Blazers capped a strange day with a victory over Charlotte. Hours earlier, Blazers president and general manager Steve Patterson abruptly resigned after owner Paul Allen decided not to renew his contract.

Wade’s second opinion delayed

Heat guard Dwyane Wade will have to wait another day for his second opinion.

Wade was scheduled to have noted specialist Dr. James Andrews examine his dislocated left shoulder, but severe weather kept Andrews from making the trip from Birmingham, Ala., to South Florida for the meeting.

Andrews’ visit has been rescheduled for today.