Sonics could turn it around

On the flip side, the SuperSonics are just 1 1/2 games ahead of the last place Portland Trail Blazers in the Northwest.

The Supersonics play the third of a four-game road trip on Monday when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats. It is the second and final meeting of the season between the squads. On November 30th, Ray Allen finished with 32 points, as the SuperSonics defeated the Bobcats, 104-94, at KeyArena. Seattle has won all three meetings between the clubs.

Seattle started off its swing with two straight losses. On Saturday, Josh Howard scored 23 points and added eight rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks swept their season series with Seattle by recording a 110-91 win over the Sonics at American Airlines Center.

Allen ended with 17 points in the loss to the Mavericks for Seattle, which has lost three of its last four games overall. Damien Wilkins netted 14, while Luke Ridnour and Robert Swift each scored 12 in defeat.

Seattle, which lost to Houston, 100-77, in the opener of the current trip, is 8-15 on the road this season. The Sonics closeout the swing on Wednesday at the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.

The Sonics will play the Hornets for the second time in the campaign. On November 26th, David West had 21 points to lead a balanced attack, as New Orleans/Oklahoma City downed Seattle, 105-99, at KeyArena.

Allen leads the Sonics in scoring (24.8 ppg), while Reggie Evans is the top rebounder (7.0 rpg) and Luke Ridnour has dished out a team-best 6.5 assists per game.