SEATTLE (AP) -- Too bad Seattle has already been eliminated from playoff contention. Seven games between the Suns and SuperSonics would be a whole lot of fun.As it is, Phoenix is headed to the playoffs as division champs, while Seattle is playing for next season.For the third time this season, Seattle and Phoenix put on a high-energy, offensive showcase, capped by Ray Allen's 3-pointer with 24 seconds left that lifted the Sonics to a 116-114 victory over the Suns on Sunday night.Seattle won its season-high fourth straight, but the Suns still clinched the Pacific Division title. Phoenix claimed its second straight title when the Clippers lost to the Lakers 100-83 later Sunday night.Allen was magnificent in the final minutes as Seattle rallied from an eight-point deficit. The All-Star scored 12 of Seattle's final 15 points, and had 23 of his 30 after halftime."For most of us, when we see them scoring fast, we feel like it's all right to do the same thing on our end," Allen said. "It doesn't get any better."With Seattle trailing 114-113, Earl Watson penetrated under the basket and passed to a wide-open Allen on the wing. The 3-pointer was Allen's fourth of the game, moving him into third place on the NBA's single-season list with 241. Allen also moved past Sam Perkins and into 92nd place on the NBA's career scoring list.Phoenix had chances in the final moments. Steve Nash missed an open 17-footer. Shawn Marion got the rebound and the ball was worked to Boris Diaw, who drove, but his shot was challenged by Chris Wilcox and came up short.The Suns inbounded after a timeout with 0.1 seconds left and tried a lob for Raja Bell, but it was knocked away. Seattle appeared confused and initially had six players on the floor before officials put the ball in play. Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni vigorously argued for a technical foul, but the officials let the extra Seattle player leave and did not make the call."I figured the rule was that when you give the guy the ball out of bounds, the ball is live," D'Antoni said. "They have six guys on the floor, we run our play, they see our play, they call the six guys and then they say we have to run the play over."Before the game, Seattle coach Bob Hill wondered just how good the Sonics could play if Allen, Wilcox and Rashard Lewis all had standout games. Sunday was a pretty good example.Wilcox continued his outstanding play with 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 12 rebounds. Lewis scored 21, carrying Seattle during one stretch of the third quarter with three 3-pointers.Watson had 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds off the bench and Luke Ridnour added 11 points and seven assists. The duo was able to successfully match the tempo dictated by Phoenix's backcourt."We kept scoring and then Ray got hot," Hill said. "That's a terrific win. They're awfully good."Bell led Phoenix with 23 points, while Diaw and Marion both finished with 22. Diaw added 12 rebounds. Nash had 13 points and 11 assists in 30 minutes, and was disappointed afterward in the team's approach to the defeat, which dropped Phoenix to 8-9 over the last 17 games."If we don't change our attitude and our commitment throughout a game, we're really setting ourselves up for the harsh realities that we've seen," Nash said.Phoenix appeared to finally gain an advantage midway through the fourth. Lewis badly missed a 3 for Seattle, while Nash swished his 3-pointer for a 107-99 Phoenix lead with 6:01 left.The Sonics were far from done. Allen and Lewis made 3-pointers and Allen scored a pair of tough baskets to pull even at 111, the first tie since 44-all. Bell made a 3, but Allen scored with his toe on the 3-point line to get within 114-113.The teams then combined to miss six straight shots. Allen and Lewis missed open 3s and Watson watched a driving layup bounce off the front of the rim. Phoenix had chances as well, Leandro Barbosa having a pair of 3-pointers rim out and Diaw having a 4-footer blocked by Johan Petro.Sunday's matchup was nearly identical to the last two meetings between Seattle and Phoenix. They split the previous two matchups, with the Suns holding a 278 to 272 scoring advantage. Phoenix's biggest lead on Sunday was eight points and Seattle never led by more than four.Game notesPhoenix's previous division titles came in 1981, 1993, 1995 and 2005. The Suns have qualified for the playoffs in 16 of the last 18 seasons. ... Seattle F Nick Collison had no pain in his left foot after playing in his first game since March 5 on Friday in Portland. Collison had been out after partially tearing his plantar fascia. ... Petro returned sooner than expected from a broken nose. The rookie entered with 5:15 left in the second quarter, but wasn't expected to play until Tuesday in San Antonio. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=260409025
don't deny his 4th quarter play from what i know this was his second or third i think if i'm right this year of winning off his last shot.Yea too feckin bad hey aint in the playoffs... Their closing well lets just see if their offseason compliments this team
4th. I didn't see the game, so i wonder who's fault it was that there were six players out, the suns rushing to start the play or us lazily having one guy walk off the court.
