Warriors try to halt losing streak vs. Sonics

Golden State recently finished a six-game homestand with a respectable 4-2 record, but dropped the final two games of the stand. On Friday, Chauncey Billups scored 29 points and hit two big free throws down the stretch to lift the always tough Detroit Pistons past the Warriors, 106-103, at The Arena in Oakland.

Jason Richardson scored a game-high 36 points in the loss to Detroit for the Warriors, who have lost two in a row following a five-game winning streak. Baron Davis registered a double-double with 14 points and 14 assists, while Derek Fisher chipped in 15 points off the bench in defeat.

The Warriors, who return home on Wednesday to host Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets, are 4-3 as the visitor this season. They have won two of their last three on the road.

Seattle will also try and get back on the winning track. On Saturday, Bonzi Wells scored a season-high 31 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Sacramento Kings used a decisive third quarter to defeat the SuperSonics, 123-104, at KeyArena.

Ray Allen led the Sonics with 24 points and Rashard Lewis netted 17 in the loss to the Kings for Seattle, which played without Danny Fortson, who was suspended one game for verbally abusing an official during the fourth period of Seattle’s 106-90 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday at the Delta Center.

Ronald Murray finished with 12 points, and Damien Wilkins and Luke Ridnour registered 10 points apiece for the Sonics, who have lost two of their last three games overall.

The Sonics, who play the middle contest of a three-game homestand, are 6-5 at KeyArena this season. They will close the current stand on Thursday against the Rockets.

Golden State has won two straight and four of the last six contests in this series. The Warriors have won two of their last three at Seattle.