[Seattlepi] Sonics reach new low in loss to Rockets

[Seattlepi]-Sonics reach new low in loss to Rockets

Wednesday, March 9, 2005

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/215169_sonx09.html

Sonics reach new low in loss to Rockets
Six-point third quarter sends Seattle to second consecutive loss

By DANNY O'NEIL
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The Sonics reached their breaking point before Tracy McGrady scored 11 points in the final six minutes of Houston's 97-95 victory last night at KeyArena.

Before Yao Ming scored six points in the final two minutes or Rashard Lewis missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining. Before Mike James made the two free throws with four seconds left that rendered Ray Allen's game-ending 3-pointer meaningless.

Seattle snapped at the end of the third period. Or at least coach Nate McMillan's wipe board did when he slammed it to the floor after watching his team score six points in the entire third quarter. It broke into pieces, just like Seattle's offensive rhythm.

"Nate broke the little board," Allen said. "It was startling to me at that stage. We had only scored six points, and I didn't realize it. ... Now, looking back at the game, that was the reason we lost. That was one of the worst quarters that we've played this year."

Actually, it was worse than that. It set a franchise record for fewest points in a period. Seattle had scored eight points in a quarter three times, most recently in Miami last March, but this was the fewest points ever in any period for the Sonics. And though the outcome of last night's game may have been decided in the final minute, Seattle (41-18) actually lost it in the third quarter. That was the low point of a game that a psychologist would have diagnosed as schizophrenic. The Sonics outscored Houston 22-4 during one stretch of the first quarter and led by as many as 16. They were outscored 16-4 in one stretch of the third.

Yao had six points in the first half and 16 in the second. Lewis scored 21 in the first half and didn't have a point in the second half until he made a free throw with 1:40 to play.

That was just the start of the multiple-personality disorders on display.

Seattle scored 33 points in the first quarter, when the Sonics made five 3-pointers, but only 36 in all of the second half. The Sonics had six points total in the third quarter, committed seven turnovers and were outscored 22-6.

The Sonics totaled 10 points in the final minute of the game yet never were able to grab the lead. That's because the Rockets scored on every one of their final six possessions.

McGrady scored 35 points, Yao had 22, and Houston's All-Star pair scored 21 of their team's 25 points in the fourth quarter.

Allen led Seattle with 32 points, Lewis scored 26, and Seattle's All-Star double-play combination totaled 16 in the final period.

But look past the quantity to the quality. Allen's only field goal in the final five minutes was a meaningless 3-pointer at the buzzer. Lewis was scoreless during the first 10 minutes of the final period. His 3-pointer with a minute remaining tied the score, but McGrady made a 3-pointer just seconds later.

Lewis missed a game-tying 3-point attempt with 10 seconds to go on an inbounds play after McGrady missed a free throw that would have iced it.

"From the start of the play, the play was totally busted up," Lewis said.

The Sonics trailed 95-92 and had an inbounds at about halfcourt with 12.9 seconds left. The plan was to go for a quick 2-point shot, McMillan said, and a 3-pointer if open.

Lewis was waiting for Antonio Daniels to cut through. Instead, Daniels waved him on, and Lewis caught the inbounds pass with defender Ryan Bowen in front of him.

"I could tell it was off when it left my hand," Lewis said. "It was an off-balance 3-pointer."

McMillan said, "I guess he felt like he couldn't get to the basket."

Was the coach surprised when Lewis elevated for the shot with eight seconds left?

"The guy was all over him," McMillan said. "He probably had some room to go. But that was one play. We're down three. We don't have any timeouts. But we had control of the game before we even get to that point."

They had the game by the throat in the first quarter, outscored Houston 22-4 in one stretch. Seattle had 59 points at halftime, the Sonics' highest first-half total since Feb. 4 when they scored 66 against Charlotte.

And then came the third quarter Ice Age.

"We just stopped moving," McMillan said.

Seattle made 3 of 14 field-goal attempts overall in the period. Allen had two. The Sonics committed seven turnovers in the period, three on the final four possessions.

Seattle's last possession ended with Vladimir Radmanovic missing a 3-point attempt that wouldn't have given the Sonics the lead, but at least would have saved a sliver of face.

RECORD FUTILITY

The Sonics scored just six points in the third quarter last night against the Rockets, the worst-scoring period in franchise history.

Date Opponent Qtr. Pts.
3/8/05 Rockets 3rd 6
10/31/85 Nuggets 4th 8
1/12/03 Cavaliers 4th 8
3/12/04 Heat 1st 8
12/21/01 Warriors 4th 9

P-I reporter Danny O'Neil can be reached at 206-448-8209 or dannyo'neil@seattlepi.com




-Edit- I would post more, but the other newpapers just chalk the game up to Yao getting away with murder and not being called for anything.... They also dont give ANY props to our D, its ALL bad shooting, never the team that shut you down

Is it just me or is lots of media people up there VERY bias?? I watched some Sonics TV guy on NBATV today and he was a total HOMER, atleast when Gene Peterson and others are on before the game on NBATV they try to call it even, not the Sonics media.. atleast the guy who wrote this above has some good facts and quotes...

 

I didnt see the game, I only got to see the pregame stuff with some kinda sonic media guys he could have been their radio guy... I DIDNT SEE THE GAME ON NBATV, I watched it on FSN