Tuesday, January 11, 2005
GAME 33: SUPERSONICS 104, CLIPPERS 99
SuperSonics 104, Clippers 99
(final content posted ~10:30p)
Here's tonight's scrawl.
The FSNNW broadcast was using incredibly slow-motion replay at times tonight, and Kevin Calabro was absolutely digging it.
Reggie Evans started tonight.
1st qtr
Jerome James actually played pretty well in the first quarter (4 points, 4 rebounds, good defensive paint presence). Reggie Evans is actually playing, and it's nice to see him down there raising hell again. Rick Brunson busted a three on Luke Ridnour at the end of the quarter, and hit another when Luke took a nearby defender, leaving Brunson wide open. Ray Allen has 10 after one quarter, Danny Fortson has 6, Antonio Daniels has 5. The Sonics were 10-for-10 at the line in the first quarter.
After one quarter -- SuperSonics 31, Clippers 27
2nd qtr
7:02 Collison had a real nice drive and layup and foul for SEA 40-32. 4:55 Clippers only shooting 32% but holding close...both teams have made 13 shots from the field, but the Clippers have put up 10 more shots. 4:34 Murray sticks a three...nice to see some contribution there; he's seeing some significant time tonight. 3:04 Simmons foul and one puts Clippers within four at 46-42...Sonics had opened a nine-point lead; can't seem to shake the Clippers. Until Ray Allen beat the buzzer with a driving layup, the Sonics had gone 3:39 without hitting a basket.
SuperSonics 51, Clippers 50
Half stats
The Sonics are shooting 41% from the field, the Clippers 40% (LA has taken 8 more shots and hit three more than the Sonics). The Sonics shot 15-for-17 from the line. The Clippers got seven offensive boards (the broadcast says nine). The Sonics have held Elton Brand to six points on six shots, and he hasn't gotten to the line (he's got six rebounds though).
Rashard Lewis went out at about the 7-minute mark in the first quarter with a right thigh contusion. He was being evaluated in the locker room, and Ron Murray is seeing a lot more time as an indirect result. Murray shot 1-for-5 in the first half and bricked a layup from under the basket.
The Sonics really didn't find any semblance of rhythm offensively. From the broadcast, the Sonics are getting beat by the Clippers 24-16 in the paint, 9-5 on second chances, and 8-3 on the fast break.
Ray Allen has 16 at half, Antonio Daniels has 8, Vladimir Radmanovic and Danny Fortson each have 6, Jerome James has 4.
3rd qtr
~10:45 James blocks twice on one possession. 10:36 Clippers take the lead 53-51 on a Maggette jumper, Allen answers with three after Sonic timeout. 9:28 Lewis knocks down first jumper of night SEA 56-55. 8:32 James blocks fifth shot of night. Sonics unable to take advantage of Clipper turnovers. 6:58 Ridnour forces turnover after inbound, gets Lewis for an alleyoop slam TIE 60-60. 5:42 Allen puts in a three from left corner SEA 65-60, answered on the other end by Brunson. 3:53 Ridnour nice drive-and-feed to open Evans under basket for foul and miss SEA 69-65...tempo starting to pick up, Vlad rebounded the free throw, Ridnour hit a basket SEA 71-65. 1:41 Brand foul and one puts Clippers back ahead 72-71. 0:47.3 Radmanovic three ties game at 74.
After three quarters -- Clippers 76, SuperSonics 74
Still, there's absolutely no flow to the offense, and the defense isn't able to make enough consecutive stops. If the Sonics force turnovers, the offense doesn't score on the other end. Also, the Sonics are only shooting 41%. The Clippers seem to be able to drive the lane almost at will at times, and they also seem to be moving the ball fairly well, enough to get to open shooters. The Sonics are now getting beat 40-31 on the boards.
4th qtr
11:44 Collison called for charge on first play of quarter. 11:19 Fortson fouled on second Sonic offensive play of quarter, hits both three throws, ties game at 76. 10:47 Collison finishes with bucket inside after great ball movement...Collison stole ball on other end SEA 78-76, answered on other end by Brunson. 10:10 Radmanovic three SEA 81-78. 9:36 Daniels layup miss cleaned up by Fortson, who is fouled (Fortson had set multiple screens for Daniels on the possession), hits free throw SEA 84-78, answered by Kittles. 7:47 Radmanovic deep 2, SEA 88-82. 6:27 Allen three left side SEA 91-86, answered by Kittles three. 5:37 Clippers tie it at 91. 5:00 Sonics force turnover, Radmanovic slams on fast break, answered on other end by Kaman. 3:43 Fortson gets two fouls called on him in the span of about 5 seconds...4 fouls to 5. 3:27 Radmanovic drives to basket, fouled (block) by Brand, hits both SEA 95-94. 3:09 Kaman stuffed by Lewis, no one picked up Kaman with the open lane. 2:32 Daniels high bank shot over Kaman SEA 97-94. 1:34 Fortson intercepts pass, 1:16 Lewis three SEA 100-94. 1:06 Fortson "block foul" called on a Brand drive, his sixth. 0:17.0 Allen driving layup with three Clippers in the paint SEA 102-97. 0:15.9 Brand gets a dunk off the inbound, Collison beats everyone down the floor and gets fouled, SEA 104-99.
===
Ray had a great night (he was the only Sonic in double figures after three quarters), Radmanovic was solid, and Fortson and Daniels off the bench.
But sheesh, what a weird game. The same two teams play in LA tomorrow, and I hope the Sonics can get some more coherent play on both ends of the floor. The Sonics had a couple of 9-point leads in the game, but they went away pretty quickly, and they never were able to pull away. It seriously seemed like the Clippers and Sonics just traded baskets the entire night.
Meanwhile, the Sonics got beat pretty well on the glass tonight even with the return of Reggie Evans. Evans did seem like his usual agitating self though. Still, the Sonics seemed a step slow on defense and sometimes were beaten by the Clippers' ball movement, enabling the Clippers to have a glut of open shots. The Sonics didn't shoot too well from the floor tonight, but they did make up for it at the line and from beyond the arc.
PEEK AT THE BOXSCORE
starters
Ray Allen 31 pts/6 reb/7 ast (9-20 FG, 5-10 3pt, 8-8 free throws), Rashard Lewis 9 pts/0 reb/2 stl/1 blk (4-10 FG, 1-3 3pt, 24 min), Reggie Evans 5 pts/9 reb (2-4 FG, 22 min)
bench
Vladimir Radmanovic 18 pts/7 reb (7-13 FG, 2-4 3pt, 30 min), Danny Fortson 11 pts/7 reb/2 blk (1-4 FG, 9-9 free throws, 22 min), Antonio Daniels 10 pts/3 reb/5 ast (4-8 FG, 29 min), Nick Collison 7 pts (15 min), Ron Murray 3 pts (1-5 FG, 10 min)
Jerome James Watch
4 pts/4 reb/5 blk (2-3 FG, 19 min)...solid night for him
team
shot 35-for-80 from the field (43.8%), shot 10-for-20 from downtown (50%), shot 24-for-27 from the free-throw line (88.9%), were outrebounded 47-40, bench outscored Clippers' bench 49-23 (outrebounded them 19-13)
In a disturbing note, all five of the Clippers' starters scored in double figures, along with Mikki Moore off the bench (10). I thought Bobby Simmons was going to have a better night, but Rick Brunson was left open way too often for my liking. Also, whenever I see Corey Maggette score against the Sonics, I just get a little bit sick because he was originally drafted by the Sonics.
The only two shooters who really were off tonight were Ron Murray and (more importantly) Luke Ridnour. Ridnour missed 8 of 11 shots, but still managed to dish off 11 assists, so he still greatly contributed to the offense.
The Sonics put up 27 free throws tonight and sank 24, which I thought was encouraging. Ray Allen hit all of his eight shots from the line, which I really liked -- I think he should just drive the lane at will, get hacked, and shoot free throws all day when he's not bombing threes. The other main source of free throws was Danny Fortson once again, who was perfect in nine attempts. A big man that can take the ball down low, get hacked, and hit two free throws on a regular basis is just invaluable.
Also with Fortson, he had a couple of really key defensive plays late in the fourth quarter. I think one was a scramble for the ball on the defensive boards, but the one I KNOW I remember is the pass he intercepted which was cashed in by Rashard Lewis for a key three, probably the dagger of the game. He made both plays while playing with 5 fouls.
The main mission tomorrow has to be to make more consistent stops on defense and to be able to rotate in time so the Clippers don't get off as many open shots. That and they could probably stand to shoot a bit better from the field. The free-throw shooting tonight was very encouraging though, and the Sonics have the free-throw shooters to go to the line if they can't manage to sink their shots from the field (I hope I don't come off like I'm preaching this too much, but I vehemently think it's true).
I asked Jinkies what the Sonics had to do to beat the Clippers another time tomorrow night. His reply? "That is funny. I am liking you."
(final content posted ~10:30p)
Here's tonight's scrawl.
The FSNNW broadcast was using incredibly slow-motion replay at times tonight, and Kevin Calabro was absolutely digging it.
Reggie Evans started tonight.
1st qtr
Jerome James actually played pretty well in the first quarter (4 points, 4 rebounds, good defensive paint presence). Reggie Evans is actually playing, and it's nice to see him down there raising hell again. Rick Brunson busted a three on Luke Ridnour at the end of the quarter, and hit another when Luke took a nearby defender, leaving Brunson wide open. Ray Allen has 10 after one quarter, Danny Fortson has 6, Antonio Daniels has 5. The Sonics were 10-for-10 at the line in the first quarter.
After one quarter -- SuperSonics 31, Clippers 27
2nd qtr
7:02 Collison had a real nice drive and layup and foul for SEA 40-32. 4:55 Clippers only shooting 32% but holding close...both teams have made 13 shots from the field, but the Clippers have put up 10 more shots. 4:34 Murray sticks a three...nice to see some contribution there; he's seeing some significant time tonight. 3:04 Simmons foul and one puts Clippers within four at 46-42...Sonics had opened a nine-point lead; can't seem to shake the Clippers. Until Ray Allen beat the buzzer with a driving layup, the Sonics had gone 3:39 without hitting a basket.
SuperSonics 51, Clippers 50
Half stats
The Sonics are shooting 41% from the field, the Clippers 40% (LA has taken 8 more shots and hit three more than the Sonics). The Sonics shot 15-for-17 from the line. The Clippers got seven offensive boards (the broadcast says nine). The Sonics have held Elton Brand to six points on six shots, and he hasn't gotten to the line (he's got six rebounds though).
Rashard Lewis went out at about the 7-minute mark in the first quarter with a right thigh contusion. He was being evaluated in the locker room, and Ron Murray is seeing a lot more time as an indirect result. Murray shot 1-for-5 in the first half and bricked a layup from under the basket.
The Sonics really didn't find any semblance of rhythm offensively. From the broadcast, the Sonics are getting beat by the Clippers 24-16 in the paint, 9-5 on second chances, and 8-3 on the fast break.
Ray Allen has 16 at half, Antonio Daniels has 8, Vladimir Radmanovic and Danny Fortson each have 6, Jerome James has 4.
3rd qtr
~10:45 James blocks twice on one possession. 10:36 Clippers take the lead 53-51 on a Maggette jumper, Allen answers with three after Sonic timeout. 9:28 Lewis knocks down first jumper of night SEA 56-55. 8:32 James blocks fifth shot of night. Sonics unable to take advantage of Clipper turnovers. 6:58 Ridnour forces turnover after inbound, gets Lewis for an alleyoop slam TIE 60-60. 5:42 Allen puts in a three from left corner SEA 65-60, answered on the other end by Brunson. 3:53 Ridnour nice drive-and-feed to open Evans under basket for foul and miss SEA 69-65...tempo starting to pick up, Vlad rebounded the free throw, Ridnour hit a basket SEA 71-65. 1:41 Brand foul and one puts Clippers back ahead 72-71. 0:47.3 Radmanovic three ties game at 74.
After three quarters -- Clippers 76, SuperSonics 74
Still, there's absolutely no flow to the offense, and the defense isn't able to make enough consecutive stops. If the Sonics force turnovers, the offense doesn't score on the other end. Also, the Sonics are only shooting 41%. The Clippers seem to be able to drive the lane almost at will at times, and they also seem to be moving the ball fairly well, enough to get to open shooters. The Sonics are now getting beat 40-31 on the boards.
4th qtr
11:44 Collison called for charge on first play of quarter. 11:19 Fortson fouled on second Sonic offensive play of quarter, hits both three throws, ties game at 76. 10:47 Collison finishes with bucket inside after great ball movement...Collison stole ball on other end SEA 78-76, answered on other end by Brunson. 10:10 Radmanovic three SEA 81-78. 9:36 Daniels layup miss cleaned up by Fortson, who is fouled (Fortson had set multiple screens for Daniels on the possession), hits free throw SEA 84-78, answered by Kittles. 7:47 Radmanovic deep 2, SEA 88-82. 6:27 Allen three left side SEA 91-86, answered by Kittles three. 5:37 Clippers tie it at 91. 5:00 Sonics force turnover, Radmanovic slams on fast break, answered on other end by Kaman. 3:43 Fortson gets two fouls called on him in the span of about 5 seconds...4 fouls to 5. 3:27 Radmanovic drives to basket, fouled (block) by Brand, hits both SEA 95-94. 3:09 Kaman stuffed by Lewis, no one picked up Kaman with the open lane. 2:32 Daniels high bank shot over Kaman SEA 97-94. 1:34 Fortson intercepts pass, 1:16 Lewis three SEA 100-94. 1:06 Fortson "block foul" called on a Brand drive, his sixth. 0:17.0 Allen driving layup with three Clippers in the paint SEA 102-97. 0:15.9 Brand gets a dunk off the inbound, Collison beats everyone down the floor and gets fouled, SEA 104-99.
===
Ray had a great night (he was the only Sonic in double figures after three quarters), Radmanovic was solid, and Fortson and Daniels off the bench.
But sheesh, what a weird game. The same two teams play in LA tomorrow, and I hope the Sonics can get some more coherent play on both ends of the floor. The Sonics had a couple of 9-point leads in the game, but they went away pretty quickly, and they never were able to pull away. It seriously seemed like the Clippers and Sonics just traded baskets the entire night.
Meanwhile, the Sonics got beat pretty well on the glass tonight even with the return of Reggie Evans. Evans did seem like his usual agitating self though. Still, the Sonics seemed a step slow on defense and sometimes were beaten by the Clippers' ball movement, enabling the Clippers to have a glut of open shots. The Sonics didn't shoot too well from the floor tonight, but they did make up for it at the line and from beyond the arc.
PEEK AT THE BOXSCORE
starters
Ray Allen 31 pts/6 reb/7 ast (9-20 FG, 5-10 3pt, 8-8 free throws), Rashard Lewis 9 pts/0 reb/2 stl/1 blk (4-10 FG, 1-3 3pt, 24 min), Reggie Evans 5 pts/9 reb (2-4 FG, 22 min)
bench
Vladimir Radmanovic 18 pts/7 reb (7-13 FG, 2-4 3pt, 30 min), Danny Fortson 11 pts/7 reb/2 blk (1-4 FG, 9-9 free throws, 22 min), Antonio Daniels 10 pts/3 reb/5 ast (4-8 FG, 29 min), Nick Collison 7 pts (15 min), Ron Murray 3 pts (1-5 FG, 10 min)
Jerome James Watch
4 pts/4 reb/5 blk (2-3 FG, 19 min)...solid night for him
team
shot 35-for-80 from the field (43.8%), shot 10-for-20 from downtown (50%), shot 24-for-27 from the free-throw line (88.9%), were outrebounded 47-40, bench outscored Clippers' bench 49-23 (outrebounded them 19-13)
In a disturbing note, all five of the Clippers' starters scored in double figures, along with Mikki Moore off the bench (10). I thought Bobby Simmons was going to have a better night, but Rick Brunson was left open way too often for my liking. Also, whenever I see Corey Maggette score against the Sonics, I just get a little bit sick because he was originally drafted by the Sonics.
The only two shooters who really were off tonight were Ron Murray and (more importantly) Luke Ridnour. Ridnour missed 8 of 11 shots, but still managed to dish off 11 assists, so he still greatly contributed to the offense.
The Sonics put up 27 free throws tonight and sank 24, which I thought was encouraging. Ray Allen hit all of his eight shots from the line, which I really liked -- I think he should just drive the lane at will, get hacked, and shoot free throws all day when he's not bombing threes. The other main source of free throws was Danny Fortson once again, who was perfect in nine attempts. A big man that can take the ball down low, get hacked, and hit two free throws on a regular basis is just invaluable.
Also with Fortson, he had a couple of really key defensive plays late in the fourth quarter. I think one was a scramble for the ball on the defensive boards, but the one I KNOW I remember is the pass he intercepted which was cashed in by Rashard Lewis for a key three, probably the dagger of the game. He made both plays while playing with 5 fouls.
The main mission tomorrow has to be to make more consistent stops on defense and to be able to rotate in time so the Clippers don't get off as many open shots. That and they could probably stand to shoot a bit better from the field. The free-throw shooting tonight was very encouraging though, and the Sonics have the free-throw shooters to go to the line if they can't manage to sink their shots from the field (I hope I don't come off like I'm preaching this too much, but I vehemently think it's true).
I asked Jinkies what the Sonics had to do to beat the Clippers another time tomorrow night. His reply? "That is funny. I am liking you."
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