Sunday, January 09, 2005
GAME 32: SUPERSONICS 108, HEAT 98
SuperSonics 108, Heat 98
(final content posted ~8:40p)
Here's my scrawl for tonight...Vitaly started in place of Evans, who I'm guessing wasn't well enough to start tonight.
Postgame thoughts after the game scrawl.
1ST QUARTER
11:38 Allen first basket midrange right side. 11:14 Wade airball (no drive to basket). 10:12 a couple of turnovers result in an alleyoop layup on the Heat, then they draw a charge (MIA 4-2). Sonics playing too sloppy, call timeout at 9:03 down 8-2. 8:35 James draws charge on Shaq, Allen cashes in on other end. 6:47 Vitaly cleans up Ridnour's layup MIA 12-8 after tying shoe before inbound on other end. 4:32 Shaq is just abusing Vitaly. 3:53 Fortson in for Vitaly. 3:36 O'Neal sits, Doleac in. 3:49 Daniels has ball stolen, Wade dunks 21-15 MIA. 2:25 Fortson foul and one 23-18 MIA, answered by Eddie Jones three.
After one quarter: Miami 30, Seattle 24
The Sonics turned the ball over five times in the first quarter and started out really sloppily. The Sonics' shooting was able to pick up more toward the end of the quarter, which may or may not have coincided with Shaq going to the bench. Reggie Evans still isn't playing, and Vitaly was just getting used by Shaq down low. Ray Allen scored 9 first-quarter points. The Sonics were 0-for-6 from downtown in the first quarter. The Heat shot 54% in the quarter.
2ND QUARTER
The FSNNW broadcast was using cranes for outdoor camera shots and Calabro read off an ad for them. It was quite hilarious, as Calabro eventually said something like "never before has operating heavy machinery been so much fun!" 9:45 Ridnour transition alleyoop to Lewis 32-28 MIA...nice dunk and pass. 8:29 off a timeout, Collison wide open in the lane for a slam MIA 32-30. 7:41 Ridnour fights for rebound, hits one over Shaq MIA 34-32. 6:28 Collison pass in the lane slam from Radmanovic 38-34 MIA. 5:32 Damon Jones circus layup and one, right after Lewis is plowed MIA 41-34. 4:47 Fortson rumbles through lane, draws contact and a foul-and-one MIA 41-39. 4:16 Lewis three left side MIA 43-42, but Laettner wide open thanks to ball movement on the other end, followed by Radmanovic tipin. 2:07 Lewis T'd after throwing ball down court...this after Ridnour got fouled by Laettner but wasn't called (Eddie Jones got a three as a result). 1:55 Sonics allow another layup for a Miami 8-0 run, followed by Fortson getting steamrolled by Shaq for a basket (10-0 run, MIA 57-46).
After the first half: Miami 57, Seattle 49
HALFTIME stats
Heat scored 11 points off 9 Seattle turnovers, which was definitely the difference in the first half. The Heat landed three players in double figures -- Shaq scored 13, Dwyane Wade 12, Eddie Jones 10. Ray Allen led the Sonics with 11, with Rashard Lewis chipping in 9. Vlad scored 7 off the bench, and Danny Fortson and Nick Collison had 6 points apiece off the bench. Collison led the Sonics in rebounding with four. The Sonics were beat 19-16 on the boards, and they are shooting 1-for-11 (9%) from downtown.
3RD QUARTER
9:51 Daniels scores first Sonic basket of second half on driving layup and one MIA 61-52. 9:35 four fouls on James, this one an illegal screen. 7:59 Daniels draws charge on Wade. 7:08 Radmanovic three left side MIA 65-55. 6:41 VLAD AGAIN three MIA 65-58, answered by Eddie Jones. 5:56 Fortson foul and one MIA 68-61. 5:16 Fortson cleans up Daniels missed three MIA 68-63, answered by easy Eddie Jones layup on other end, and an intercepted pass, layup and foul-and-one (missed) for Wade. 4:04 Allen right side transition three MIA 72-66. 2:50 Daniels drives for a foul after a key fourth-chance defensive rebound by Fortson MIA 74-69, misses one, Collison rebound, Ridnour found for three MIA 74-72, answered by Keyon Dooling. 1:55 running right side scoop by Daniels MIA 76-74, 11-4 SEA run. 0:48.4 ANOTHER Daniels drive MIA 78-76. 0:23.6 VLAD THREE, SEA 79-78, first lead since 2-0 in the first quarter. 0:10.4 Wade knocks down Daniels defending, foul called. 0:03.7 Ridnour drives to basket, is fouled SEA 81-78.
After three quarters: Seattle 81, Miami 78
Wow. That was quite a turn of fortune there. Unfortunately it had a direct correlation with Shaq being on the bench, but the Sonics looked out of it at times in the quarter, then they just picked it up. Antonio Daniels was a man possessed. My goodness. There is some great bench play tonight, and having Daniels drive to the basket was something I'd been missing lately. Jerome James and Rashard Lewis have four fouls each, in case anyone needs to worry about hacking Shaq.
4TH QUARTER
11:11 Shaq misses two free throws. 10:55 VLAD THREE SEA 84-78, 10-0 SEA run, answered by Dooling. 10:02 Ridnour drives lane, gets fouled by Shaq, misses one of two SEA 85-80. 9:53 crowd not liking foul on a Collison stuff of Dooling (all ball), but he misses one SEA 85-81. 9:06 Collison nice pass to a cutting Daniels under the basket for easy layup SEA 87-81. 8:35 Lewis THREE right side SEA 90-83. 8:19 Eddie Jones driving loses dribble out of bounds. 7:56 VLAD THREE, MIA 93-83...the Sonics have to watch it because the Heat are in the bonus. 7:38 Shaq dunk and fouled SEA 93-86. 7:25 Daniels swatted by Shaq, falls on back, Damon Jones three on other end. 6:35 ANOTHER Miami three SEA 93-92, 9-0 Miami run. 5:55 Wade driving layup and fouled MIA 95-93. 5:29 Fortson drive, bounce, foul, ball bounces a couple times and falls in, misses free throw TIE 95-95, answered by Eddie Jones figerroll. 4:40 Ridnour in transition obstructed, fouled after Vlad blocks (after getting blocked) TIE 97-97. 4:10 Ridnour give-and-go to Fortson, who drives for a blocking foul (nearly a charge) hits one of two SEA 98-97. 3:40 Ridnour finds Vlad driving for a HUGE SLAM, SEA 100-97. 2:45 Heat can't get possession two or three times after Seattle missed shots. 2:04 Fortson fouls Shaq, who misses BOTH. 1:40 KEY RESET on ball hitting rim, when shot clock would have showed 1 second. 1:20 VLAD FOR THREE AGAIN low on the shot clock after Ridnour kills the shot clock down to about 10, SEA 103-97. 0:45.8 Fortson rebounds a Ridnour miss on a driving layup, gets fouled, hits both SEA 105-97. 0:29.2 IT'S A FOULFEST, this one's over.
Final -- Seattle 108, Miami 98
===
The Sonics had six turnovers in the second half, according to the FSNNW broadcast. I didn't know where to fit in this into the rest of the piece.
Another huge win for the Sonics, and they did it without Reggie Evans this time. But they did it with an awesome night from their bench. Antonio Daniels was driving to the basket and drawing charges again, looking like the pre-illness Daniels to which we had been accustomed. But this night belonged to Vladimir Radmanovic. What's weird is that the Sonics started out in this game shooting absolutely horrid from three-point range. Then they started falling, and then it was a downpour, especially with Radmanovic. It was amazing watching him spot up and watching him warm up and just nail everything. Big bonus points for Luke Ridnour showing some great court vision, punctuated by slams by Rashard Lewis (alleyoop) and Radmanovic late. It was almost like you started having that feeling when Dan Majerle would spot up and you knew it was going in once it left his hands. Radmanovic is nowhere near as consistent as Thunder Dan in his prime or anything, but if Vlad can gain consistency this year or next like Rashard, it'll be incredible.
Hooray for the Sonics. Thanks for helping us start the post-Seahawk healing process.
PEEK AT THE BOXSCORE
starters
Ray Allen 15 pts/3 reb/7 ast (6-17 FG, 1-5 3pt), Rashard Lewis 13 pts/3 reb (5-14 FG, 2-9 3pt...32 min), Luke Ridnour 12 pts/2 reb/7 ast (3-12 FG, 5-6 free throws), Vitaly Potapenko 2 pts/3 reb (8 min)
bench (big night)
Vlad Radmanovic 27 pts/7 reb (11-17 FG, 5-9 3pt), Danny Fortson 18 pts/10 reb (5-7 FG, 8-10 free throws), Antonio Daniels 15 pts/3 reb/7 ast (4-8 FG, 7-9 free throws), Nick Collison 6 pts/6 reb (17 min)
Jerome James Watch
0 pts/2 reb (four fouls, three turnovers, 8 min)
team
shot 38-for-79 (48.1%) from the field, shot 9-for-27 (33.3%) from downtown, shot 23-for-29 (79.3%) from the free throw line, outrebounded Miami 38-37, bench outscored Miami's bench 66-17 (outrebounded them 25-5)
Rashard Lewis' double-double streak is over at three games, but this night isn't about Rashard or Ray or any of the starters, really. It's about the bench, which got contributions from everyone that came off it (Collison's 6 and 6 being the most unheralded).
While the Sonics' starters shot a combined 15-for-44 (34.1%), the bench shot a blistering 23-for-35 (65.7%).
One thing that I thought was somewhat encouraging was the 29 free-throw attempts the Sonics had. Fortson had 10, and we know those were gained by doing dirty work on the inside. The two other players who drew more than two free throws were Luke Ridnour (6) and Antonio Daniels (9). Daniels was driving the lane extremely well tonight, and he got fouled on some of them and went to the line. Why am I mentioning Ridnour? I have to say that it's somewhat encouraging that even though he was only 3-for-12 from the field, he took the ball to the rack and was getting to the line. Ridnour's shot was off, yes, but between the free throws and the assists, he was still a main contributor to this offense.
In the context of the game itself, though, the Sonics overcame their first-half turnovers and opened up a can in the third quarter. It was said by Calabro and Ehlo on the postgame show that when the Heat brought Shaq back in during the second half, that it actually slowed the Heat down, and all of their guys would be standing outside on the perimeter waiting for a pass whenever Shaq got the ball down on the low block. Shaq pretty much handled the Sonics in the first half, but the Sonics were able to limit him just enough in the second half.
It's a big win, and a good win, even though a key part of the starting lineup was still out and even though the two big horses weren't clicking on all cylinders.
I asked Jinkies what the Sonics' win tonight meant for the team, and he said, "[w]as that supposed to be funny? Take the hike."
(final content posted ~8:40p)
Here's my scrawl for tonight...Vitaly started in place of Evans, who I'm guessing wasn't well enough to start tonight.
Postgame thoughts after the game scrawl.
1ST QUARTER
11:38 Allen first basket midrange right side. 11:14 Wade airball (no drive to basket). 10:12 a couple of turnovers result in an alleyoop layup on the Heat, then they draw a charge (MIA 4-2). Sonics playing too sloppy, call timeout at 9:03 down 8-2. 8:35 James draws charge on Shaq, Allen cashes in on other end. 6:47 Vitaly cleans up Ridnour's layup MIA 12-8 after tying shoe before inbound on other end. 4:32 Shaq is just abusing Vitaly. 3:53 Fortson in for Vitaly. 3:36 O'Neal sits, Doleac in. 3:49 Daniels has ball stolen, Wade dunks 21-15 MIA. 2:25 Fortson foul and one 23-18 MIA, answered by Eddie Jones three.
After one quarter: Miami 30, Seattle 24
The Sonics turned the ball over five times in the first quarter and started out really sloppily. The Sonics' shooting was able to pick up more toward the end of the quarter, which may or may not have coincided with Shaq going to the bench. Reggie Evans still isn't playing, and Vitaly was just getting used by Shaq down low. Ray Allen scored 9 first-quarter points. The Sonics were 0-for-6 from downtown in the first quarter. The Heat shot 54% in the quarter.
2ND QUARTER
The FSNNW broadcast was using cranes for outdoor camera shots and Calabro read off an ad for them. It was quite hilarious, as Calabro eventually said something like "never before has operating heavy machinery been so much fun!" 9:45 Ridnour transition alleyoop to Lewis 32-28 MIA...nice dunk and pass. 8:29 off a timeout, Collison wide open in the lane for a slam MIA 32-30. 7:41 Ridnour fights for rebound, hits one over Shaq MIA 34-32. 6:28 Collison pass in the lane slam from Radmanovic 38-34 MIA. 5:32 Damon Jones circus layup and one, right after Lewis is plowed MIA 41-34. 4:47 Fortson rumbles through lane, draws contact and a foul-and-one MIA 41-39. 4:16 Lewis three left side MIA 43-42, but Laettner wide open thanks to ball movement on the other end, followed by Radmanovic tipin. 2:07 Lewis T'd after throwing ball down court...this after Ridnour got fouled by Laettner but wasn't called (Eddie Jones got a three as a result). 1:55 Sonics allow another layup for a Miami 8-0 run, followed by Fortson getting steamrolled by Shaq for a basket (10-0 run, MIA 57-46).
After the first half: Miami 57, Seattle 49
HALFTIME stats
Heat scored 11 points off 9 Seattle turnovers, which was definitely the difference in the first half. The Heat landed three players in double figures -- Shaq scored 13, Dwyane Wade 12, Eddie Jones 10. Ray Allen led the Sonics with 11, with Rashard Lewis chipping in 9. Vlad scored 7 off the bench, and Danny Fortson and Nick Collison had 6 points apiece off the bench. Collison led the Sonics in rebounding with four. The Sonics were beat 19-16 on the boards, and they are shooting 1-for-11 (9%) from downtown.
3RD QUARTER
9:51 Daniels scores first Sonic basket of second half on driving layup and one MIA 61-52. 9:35 four fouls on James, this one an illegal screen. 7:59 Daniels draws charge on Wade. 7:08 Radmanovic three left side MIA 65-55. 6:41 VLAD AGAIN three MIA 65-58, answered by Eddie Jones. 5:56 Fortson foul and one MIA 68-61. 5:16 Fortson cleans up Daniels missed three MIA 68-63, answered by easy Eddie Jones layup on other end, and an intercepted pass, layup and foul-and-one (missed) for Wade. 4:04 Allen right side transition three MIA 72-66. 2:50 Daniels drives for a foul after a key fourth-chance defensive rebound by Fortson MIA 74-69, misses one, Collison rebound, Ridnour found for three MIA 74-72, answered by Keyon Dooling. 1:55 running right side scoop by Daniels MIA 76-74, 11-4 SEA run. 0:48.4 ANOTHER Daniels drive MIA 78-76. 0:23.6 VLAD THREE, SEA 79-78, first lead since 2-0 in the first quarter. 0:10.4 Wade knocks down Daniels defending, foul called. 0:03.7 Ridnour drives to basket, is fouled SEA 81-78.
After three quarters: Seattle 81, Miami 78
Wow. That was quite a turn of fortune there. Unfortunately it had a direct correlation with Shaq being on the bench, but the Sonics looked out of it at times in the quarter, then they just picked it up. Antonio Daniels was a man possessed. My goodness. There is some great bench play tonight, and having Daniels drive to the basket was something I'd been missing lately. Jerome James and Rashard Lewis have four fouls each, in case anyone needs to worry about hacking Shaq.
4TH QUARTER
11:11 Shaq misses two free throws. 10:55 VLAD THREE SEA 84-78, 10-0 SEA run, answered by Dooling. 10:02 Ridnour drives lane, gets fouled by Shaq, misses one of two SEA 85-80. 9:53 crowd not liking foul on a Collison stuff of Dooling (all ball), but he misses one SEA 85-81. 9:06 Collison nice pass to a cutting Daniels under the basket for easy layup SEA 87-81. 8:35 Lewis THREE right side SEA 90-83. 8:19 Eddie Jones driving loses dribble out of bounds. 7:56 VLAD THREE, MIA 93-83...the Sonics have to watch it because the Heat are in the bonus. 7:38 Shaq dunk and fouled SEA 93-86. 7:25 Daniels swatted by Shaq, falls on back, Damon Jones three on other end. 6:35 ANOTHER Miami three SEA 93-92, 9-0 Miami run. 5:55 Wade driving layup and fouled MIA 95-93. 5:29 Fortson drive, bounce, foul, ball bounces a couple times and falls in, misses free throw TIE 95-95, answered by Eddie Jones figerroll. 4:40 Ridnour in transition obstructed, fouled after Vlad blocks (after getting blocked) TIE 97-97. 4:10 Ridnour give-and-go to Fortson, who drives for a blocking foul (nearly a charge) hits one of two SEA 98-97. 3:40 Ridnour finds Vlad driving for a HUGE SLAM, SEA 100-97. 2:45 Heat can't get possession two or three times after Seattle missed shots. 2:04 Fortson fouls Shaq, who misses BOTH. 1:40 KEY RESET on ball hitting rim, when shot clock would have showed 1 second. 1:20 VLAD FOR THREE AGAIN low on the shot clock after Ridnour kills the shot clock down to about 10, SEA 103-97. 0:45.8 Fortson rebounds a Ridnour miss on a driving layup, gets fouled, hits both SEA 105-97. 0:29.2 IT'S A FOULFEST, this one's over.
Final -- Seattle 108, Miami 98
===
The Sonics had six turnovers in the second half, according to the FSNNW broadcast. I didn't know where to fit in this into the rest of the piece.
Another huge win for the Sonics, and they did it without Reggie Evans this time. But they did it with an awesome night from their bench. Antonio Daniels was driving to the basket and drawing charges again, looking like the pre-illness Daniels to which we had been accustomed. But this night belonged to Vladimir Radmanovic. What's weird is that the Sonics started out in this game shooting absolutely horrid from three-point range. Then they started falling, and then it was a downpour, especially with Radmanovic. It was amazing watching him spot up and watching him warm up and just nail everything. Big bonus points for Luke Ridnour showing some great court vision, punctuated by slams by Rashard Lewis (alleyoop) and Radmanovic late. It was almost like you started having that feeling when Dan Majerle would spot up and you knew it was going in once it left his hands. Radmanovic is nowhere near as consistent as Thunder Dan in his prime or anything, but if Vlad can gain consistency this year or next like Rashard, it'll be incredible.
Hooray for the Sonics. Thanks for helping us start the post-Seahawk healing process.
PEEK AT THE BOXSCORE
starters
Ray Allen 15 pts/3 reb/7 ast (6-17 FG, 1-5 3pt), Rashard Lewis 13 pts/3 reb (5-14 FG, 2-9 3pt...32 min), Luke Ridnour 12 pts/2 reb/7 ast (3-12 FG, 5-6 free throws), Vitaly Potapenko 2 pts/3 reb (8 min)
bench (big night)
Vlad Radmanovic 27 pts/7 reb (11-17 FG, 5-9 3pt), Danny Fortson 18 pts/10 reb (5-7 FG, 8-10 free throws), Antonio Daniels 15 pts/3 reb/7 ast (4-8 FG, 7-9 free throws), Nick Collison 6 pts/6 reb (17 min)
Jerome James Watch
0 pts/2 reb (four fouls, three turnovers, 8 min)
team
shot 38-for-79 (48.1%) from the field, shot 9-for-27 (33.3%) from downtown, shot 23-for-29 (79.3%) from the free throw line, outrebounded Miami 38-37, bench outscored Miami's bench 66-17 (outrebounded them 25-5)
Rashard Lewis' double-double streak is over at three games, but this night isn't about Rashard or Ray or any of the starters, really. It's about the bench, which got contributions from everyone that came off it (Collison's 6 and 6 being the most unheralded).
While the Sonics' starters shot a combined 15-for-44 (34.1%), the bench shot a blistering 23-for-35 (65.7%).
One thing that I thought was somewhat encouraging was the 29 free-throw attempts the Sonics had. Fortson had 10, and we know those were gained by doing dirty work on the inside. The two other players who drew more than two free throws were Luke Ridnour (6) and Antonio Daniels (9). Daniels was driving the lane extremely well tonight, and he got fouled on some of them and went to the line. Why am I mentioning Ridnour? I have to say that it's somewhat encouraging that even though he was only 3-for-12 from the field, he took the ball to the rack and was getting to the line. Ridnour's shot was off, yes, but between the free throws and the assists, he was still a main contributor to this offense.
In the context of the game itself, though, the Sonics overcame their first-half turnovers and opened up a can in the third quarter. It was said by Calabro and Ehlo on the postgame show that when the Heat brought Shaq back in during the second half, that it actually slowed the Heat down, and all of their guys would be standing outside on the perimeter waiting for a pass whenever Shaq got the ball down on the low block. Shaq pretty much handled the Sonics in the first half, but the Sonics were able to limit him just enough in the second half.
It's a big win, and a good win, even though a key part of the starting lineup was still out and even though the two big horses weren't clicking on all cylinders.
I asked Jinkies what the Sonics' win tonight meant for the team, and he said, "[w]as that supposed to be funny? Take the hike."
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