Sonics stop off in San Antonio

This is the first meeting of the season between the clubs. The last time these teams met was in last year’s playoffs, as the Spurs knocked off Seattle in six games in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Spurs return home after going 6-2 on an eight-game road trip. In their last game on the swing, Allen Iverson scored 42 points, including two pivotal buckets in overtime, as the Philadelphia 76ers fought past the Spurs, 103-100, last Wednesday at the Wachovia Center.

Tony Parker ended with a team-high 23 points in the loss to the Sixers for San Antonio, while Nazr Mohammed totaled 18 points and 20 boards for the Spurs, who dropped the last two games on the road trip. Tim Duncan also had a double- double with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

San Antonio is an impressive 21-3 as the host this season. It has won two straight at home.

The Spurs trail the first place Dallas Mavericks by one game in the Southwest Division.

Seattle, which enters tonight’s contest on a three-game losing streak, plays the third of a six-game road trip. On February 15th, Ricky Davis netted 25 points and dished out five assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves knocked off the SuperSonics, 102-92, at the Target Center.

All-Star Ray Allen made 10-of-19 from the floor and ended with 23 points in the loss to the Timberwolves for Seattle, which has dropped seven of its last eight games overall.

Robert Swift finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, while the forward Chris Wilcox had nine points off the bench in the loss.

The Sonics are a dismal 8-19 on the road this season. They will also visit Atlanta, Orlando and Miami on the current road trip.

The Spurs have won two in a row and nine of the last 11 contests in this series. Seattle has lost four of its last five at San Antonio.