Golden State @ Seattle Who: (24-26) vs (21-28) When: 7pm Where: Key Arena TV: NBALP Notes: These two teams have split the season series so far, each winning at home. Golden State come off an OT loss to Toronto in which they equalled a record low of two points in the last period. Seattle come off a loss i n Portland where they got to within two late on, but couldn't close the game out, losing by 10. Both teams will struggle to make the playoffs this season, in the Western Conference. Thoughts?
In my mind the Sonics are the better team. They lack a little compared to Dampier and Robinson and some of the other GS frontcourt cats and are inconsistent in the frontcourt,but their guards/swingmen have the edge. IMO this game rests on Ray Allen. He needs to hit his shots from the outside and draw the double to allow somone like Rashard/Flip to get their swerve on. I think Antonio has to have a consistent game as well.
We lack consistency... I mean...106-97...at one pt of 4th quarter, we were just so close...up by 2...down by 2...whatever...it just kinda gets me frustrated...imagine what Nate McMillan must be thinking? Hmm...does anyone think Ansu Sesay should get anymore time? He only had 2 minutes...and scored a bucket, and I've seen him scored some for Sonics, but thought is there any objection of getting more minutes (from off the bench, of course)...I mean, sure he doesn't have as much talent as of Ridnour, or Antonio...but still--he's got potentials...look at the miracle of Ron Murray, no one ever knew him...and he's somewhat known now...
^ Maybe, but where do you put him? Rashard had to be out there in the final period, ray has to be out there and Flip was our leading scorer on the night. I like Ansu, but with Radmanovic also on the bench, I don't see many opporunities for him to get on the court. Nice game from Rashard with 20 and nine, but the guy only took 11 shots. Granted he got to the line too, but he has got to start demaning the basketball, especially when he's hot like he was in the first. He lets his hot hand die out because he's not aggressive enough. He has to stop settling for the jumper and take it at the basket, too. Ray's shoulder is bothering him , anyone can see that, and it's a testament to him that he again managed to drag us back into the game late on. However, just like against Portland, we live and die by the three. Tonight we died, just like against the Blazers. Positives were Flip's return to form. He didn't force his shots, rather he played smarter basketball and 9-16 shooting for 19 points is exactly the sort of peformance he is capable of, and we need from him. Vitaly was fantastic again, with 17, but lack of inside help meant that Dampier and Cardinal were about to dominate the second half. A 36-26 third won't cut it, especially with a line-up that is so inept defensively. Second half fadeouts have been a problem all year, and games like this are exactly why we won't make the playoffs. <font size="1">Box Score courtesy of NBA.com</font> Next Game: vs Raptors, Thurs
Turnovers abused the Sonics in this one, and they didn't exactly get a lot of productive out of Ray Ray and Daniels tonight, either. Claxton had 6 steals...
