Seattle SuperSonics Team Report - December 18

(Basketball News) - Seattle blew a substantial early lead en route to a 112-110 loss to the NBA-best (20-3) Phoenix Suns on Friday night at America West Arena.

Ray Allen racked up 32 points and Rashard Lewis 26 for the Sonics, which had won eight of its last nine and suffered only its second loss in 12 games at home. Reggie Evans finished with 13 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

Seattle held a 102-95 lead after Vladimir Radmanovic drained a three-pointer with 3:15 to play, but Shawn Marion knocked down a baseline trey on the ensuing possession and threw down a dunk off Steve Nash’s feed to bring the Suns within two heading into the final two minutes.

Evans would hit one of two free throws before Marion sank both foul shots to make it a one-point game at 103-102. After Allen missed a jumper, Quentin Richardson drove the lane and was fouled after putting in a layup with 1:09 remaining. He hit the bonus attempt and put the Suns ahead 105-103.

A layup by Joe Johnson and two free throws by Marion with eight seconds to go ended the fateful 14-2 run which gave Phoenix a 109-104 edge. Allen and Lewis each hit three-pointers around two Nash free throws to put Seattle down by one with less than a second on the clock. Marion then made one foul shot as time expired for the final margin.

The teams split four meetings last season, but Seattle came in having won four of the last six between the clubs.

Seattle has the next four days to reflect before taking on the Denver Nuggets at KeyArena on Wednesday night.