Seattle SuperSonics Team Report - April 3

(Basketball News) - The Sonics’ losing ways continued on Friday, as they fell 97-86 to the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers at KeyArena.

Ray Allen poured in a game-high 30 points and handed out seven assists for the SuperSonics, who have dropped four straight contests. Rashard Lewis chipped in 25 in the setback.

The Sonics were able to keep it close despite playing without Vladimir Radmanovic, who went on the injured list earlier Friday, and Jerome James, who has been on the injured list since Tuesday.

With the loss, the Sonics are assured of consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1985-86 and 1986-87

Seattle has essentially been eliminated from postseason contention, as it trails eighth place Portland and Denver by 5 1/2 games with six to play.

The Sonics return to action on Sunday when they welcome the New Orleans Hornets to town. Seattle has dropped five of its last eight at home and is 19-19 in its arena this season.

Seattle defeated the Hornets earlier in the year, but has lost three of the last five matchups. The Sonics, though, have won six of their last 10 at home in this series.