Sonic stars look just fine in win
SEATTLE – One night after Seattle’s Rashard Lewis was limited to 10 minutes because of tendinitis in his left knee, Ray Allen was amazed to see his teammate go hard against the New York Knicks.
The Sonics needed both of their All-Stars at their best on Friday night, and Allen led the way with a season-high 40 points and Lewis scored 30 in a 109-101 overtime victory over New York.
“I was glad that (Lewis) played tonight and to be able to stick it out like he did was great,” said Allen, a five-time All-Star whose career high is 47 points.
“I know once you start playing and the adrenaline starts pumping, it’s just getting it started. But sometimes it’s tough getting it started.”
Allen had eight points and Lewis six in overtime — all 14 of Seattle’s points in the extra session — as the Sonics beat the Knicks for the second time in less than two weeks. Allen finished the game with six 3-pointers, including three in the fourth quarter when he had 12 points.
In his second game after missing one against Milwaukee at home Tuesday night because of a sprained right ankle, Allen played 47 minutes, one more than Lewis.
“I’m feeling a lot better,” Allen said. “It’s the same thing with me. You’ve just got to get it started. You walk in here and you feel locked up, but once you get started, there’s no quitting.”
The Northwest Division-leading Sonics, with their fifth win in a row and fourth straight at home, moved within one victory or a Minnesota loss to clinching a berth in the Western Conference playoff race. They can get that berth today if Minnesota loses at New Jersey.
Lewis came out late in the first quarter after playing 10 minutes in a victory in Portland on Thursday night because his left knee was hurting him so badly.
“I woke up this morning with a whole different feeling,” Lewis said. “You don’t want to sit out just to be sitting out. I want to help my team win ballgames, that’s the important thing.”
The Knicks dropped to 8-24 on the road.
Tim Thomas sent the game into overtime with a 3-pointer for the Knicks with 9.5 seconds left in regulation.
But in the overtime, New York was only 3 for 11 from the field. Stephon Marbury led the Knicks with 31 points.