[0] SONICS WIN IS TWICE AS NICE; THEY BEAT KINGS IN OT, AVOIDING FIRST-ROUND MATCHUP WITH DREADED LAKERS SEATTLE 119, SACRAMENTO 112.Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer SACRAMENTO - The Sacramento Kings and Seattle Sonics played a game of hot potato hot potato n. Informal A problem that is so controversial or sensitive that those handling it risk unpleasant consequences: gun control Tuesday, and the Lakers were the potato. Neither wants any part of the NBA's best team in the first round of the playoffs, but the Sonics want to avoid them most. Their 119-112 victory in overtime sends them to Utah to face the second-seeded Jazz, handing the Kings to the Lakers. The Sonics outscored the Kings 12-5 in the extra period, getting eight points from Gary Payton
Payton finished with 33 points. ``We made the last baskets, we won and we're fine,'' Payton said. Rashard Lewis Rashard Quovon Lewis (born August 8, 1979 in Pineville, Louisiana) is an American professional basketball player. After playing his first nine seasons for the Seattle SuperSonics, Lewis joined the Orlando Magic having agreed to a 6-year sign-and-trade deal (believed to be worth at had 22 points and 13 rebounds and Vin Baker Vincent (Vin) Lamont Baker (born November 23, 1971, in Lake Wales, Florida) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA, currently a free agent. He appeared in four consecutive All-Star Games before his career was troubled by alcoholism. , who has battled personal problems recently, had 23 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Baker was removed from the starting lineup For the line of action figures, see . A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes last week after the Sonics lost nine of 11 games. ``It's great to get numbers out of him because it makes it easier for ourselves,'' Payton said. ``When he does a good job and dominates down low it makes it easier for me.'' Chris Webber For the Canadian-born former BBL basketball player, see . Mayce Edward Christopher Webber III, better known as Chris Webber or C-Webb (born March 1, 1973, in Detroit, Michigan), is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA.. finished with 23 points 10 rebounds and 13 assists but made just eight of 26 shots. Jason Williams Jason Williams can refer to any of the following people:
Not that the Lakers look forward to playing the Kings. Despite winning the season series against Sacramento 3-1, few teams played L.A. tougher.The Lakers had to rally for each win, including Friday's 121-114 victory. The Kings present a number of problems with their speed and shooting ability, and no one on the Lakers is a good fit against Webber. Of course, the Kings don't have anyone down line to stand up against Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). , either. How badly did the Sonics want to avoid L.A.? Sonics coach Paul Westphal stopped just short of calling the Lakers the best team ever. ``L.A. has really put up one of the best records in history, and you can make an argument that it's the best record because of the competition,'' Westphal said. ``The Western Conference this year has been unbelievable from top to bottom, really. ``Their achievement, you can't just act like it's nothing. They put the numbers up. I think the Kings and the Sonics both feel if we can avoid playing the Lakers as long as possible, that's better.'' 2000 NBA PLAYOFFS If the playoffs began today, these are what the matchups would be: WESTERN CONFERENCE 1. Lakers vs. 8. Sacramento 2. Utah vs. 7. Seattle 3. Portland vs. 6. Minnesota 4. Phoenix vs. 5. San Antonio EASTERN CONFERENCE 1. Indiana vs. 8. Milwaukee 2. Miami vs. 7. Detroit 3. New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of vs. 6. Toronto 4. Philadelphia vs. 5. Charlotte The NBA Playoffs begin Saturday. CAPTION(S): box Box: 2000 NBA Playoffs (see text) |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion