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Sonics slam Spurs 101-89, even series 2-2
Ray Allen scored 32 points and Luke Ridnour had 15 of his 20 points in the third quarter as the Seattle SuperSonics defeated the San Antonio Spurs 101-89 Sunday to tie their second-round series 2-2.
Seattle All-Star Rashard Lewis missed the game, unable to run because of a sprained toe on his left foot. He was hurt in Game 3 and, after missing two days of practice, watched in street clothes on the bench. The Sonics, who shocked nearly everyone by winning 52 games and the Northwest Division title, seemed inspired without him. Antonio Daniels scored 19, while reserve forward Damien Wilkins had 15 points and six rebounds. After the horn, Reggie Evans held Lewis' No. 7 jersey aloft for a celebration at midcourt. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 35 points, Manu Ginobili had 15 and Tony Parker 12. But they spent most of the final period on the sideline, resting for Game 5 on Tuesday night in San Antonio. Without Lewis, the other Sonics raised their game — just as Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had feared. "People pick up their games," he said before tipoff. "You worry about your own group letting up a little bit psychologically and subconsciously. Teams become more aggressive and play with a desperate sort of attitude, a greater sense of urgency." That's exactly what happened. Seattle came out focused, jumping out with a 12-4 run and putting up 28 first-quarter points. The Sonics had their defense going, too, logging four blocked shots and forcing the Spurs into seven turnovers in the first period. Allen, moved to the small forward position that Lewis normally handles, shot 6-of-10 from the floor in the first half, scoring 17 points as the Sonics led 46-40 at the break. Daniels scored 11, hitting a jumper just before the horn. Ridnour skittered around the floor, dribbling around defenders before he flipped in jumpers and indefensible runners. Wilkins provide a nice lift off the bench, crashing for rebounds and driving fearlessly on Duncan. The Sonics broke from a 54-54 tie with a 12-1 run midway through the third quarter, with Allen scoring seven and Ridnour four in the burst. It was 82-66 after three periods after Ridnour made a jumper, a 3-pointer and flipped in a runner. Seattle kept the momentum going, with Wilkins soaring for a bucket and Allen getting two jumpers opening the fourth to make it 87-67 with 9:52 to play
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