Sonics try to remain hot against Knicks

On Sunday, Ray Allen poured in 25 points and added six rebounds and three steals, as the SuperSonics knocked off the Indiana Pacers, 107-102. Rashard Lewis added 23 points and six boards for Seattle, which has won six of nine.

Ronald Murray netted 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting off the bench, while Luke Ridnour posted 13 points and seven assists in the victory. After scoring a combined 10 points in his first three games, Murray has reached double figures in five of his last six contests.

The SuperSonics improved to 7-0 this season when scoring at least 100 points.

Seattle, which will head to Utah for a game with the Jazz on Thursday, is 6-3 in its arena this season.

The Knicks meanwhile enter on a sour note after giving up a late lead in a 102-99 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

Stephon Marbury poured in 35 points for the Knicks, scoring 17 from the free throw line. He also dished out nine assists. New York has lost two straight and three of its last four games. Rookie Channing Frye added 25 points in defeat.

Center Eddy Curry returned to the lineup for the Knicks after missing the previous five games with a calf injury. He scored only three points in just under 14 minutes of action.

Tonight’s contest will also feature the return to Seattle for center Jerome James, who was lured to New York by a mammoth free agent deal. James, though, has struggled through injuries for the better part of the season and is averaging just 2.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in limited action.

The Knicks, who will be starting a three-game road trip tonight that also includes stops in Los Angeles (Clippers) and Phoenix, are 2-8 away from home this season.

Seattle won both meetings last season and has won four of the last five matchups. The Knicks have also struggled in the Emerald City, where they have six of eight and seven of 10.