No preview for this game but I was really pleased how well the Sonics played--at least offensively. Ray Allen was off tonight but it was great to see other guys step up and really pick up the scoring load. Reggie Evans gave us a big lift in the first quarter, Sweet Lew was Sweet Lew, Danny brought a ton of energy in the first half, Nick Collison showed that when given minutes he can be the complete inside presence we need to make our team dual dimensional, and Ron Murray finally decided to show why I think so highly of him. I hope that the injury to his hand is not serious b/c he showed tonight how dangerous of a scoring/set up option he can be in extended minutes. Luke Ridnour's illness might have been a blessing in disguise b/c I don't think that the Sonics would have scored 40 points in the third quarter w/o Flip's 18 third quarter points. Despite the fact that Paul Pierce had his way and Ricky Davis was tremedously efficient we showed an efficiency on offense that will at least keep us in games against some of the better teams in the league. I'm just glad that we were able to get a win at home against a team that we are supposed to beat b/c we have two huge divisional road games against two teams (Minnesota and Denver) that are ahead of us in the NW standings. With only four month remaining it's time to go on a streak that will enable us to get back in the discussion of formiddable West teams. I feel pretty good about this win tonight.
No doubt this was a feel good win. It also was a much needed win. I just hope that we can take a step forward from this, instead of moving backwards. I think we played well vs the mavs, except in the 4th. Flip has a couple of dislocated fingers. Depending on how badly they were dislocated, he might need a splint on the fingers. hopefully he returns soon...and luke should sit out a few games....haha. I like the lineup of Flip, Ray, Lew, nick and danny.
I only saw the 4th. I dunno, I guess I'm a pessimist but I'm not enthused with the win. Seems time and again we give up double digit leads in the 4th. Our defense especially seems to be lacking in cohesiveness. I'm not sure we have set rotations when we double team the ball - last night we had guys jumping around on pogo sticks, 3 guys collapsing on one and hot 3 point shooter left wide open. On the plus side, obviously getting Flip off is a good sign, our 2nd chance points were heartening and Ray didn't seem to force his shot as much as he has when he struggles. Still, a 5th straight home loss in the same manner as the other 4th would've been a real downer, so pulling this one out was important. Plus we're only 1.5 games out of first, what a sorry division this has turned out to be.
Confidence boosting win, but it means nothing if we don't use it as a launching pad. We have come up with a fair few "big" wins this season, only to drop the next two or three. It's like tennis - it's not a break of serve until you hold your own serve afterwards (unless you break to win a set...). That one is also sexual.
yeah...if we win tonight, and then vs denver...we'd be on top of the division. But first...lets just try to get over .500. Luke is out and Flip is questionable...so mateen will probably get the start. how about a lineup of Ray, Rashard, Vlade, Evans and Pot? Weiss had Vlade at the 2 the last game for a while...haha...lets see what he does tonight.
