SEATTLE — A Grizzly comeback got the Memphis-based NBAers into overtime, but the faltering Seattle Supersonics somehow managed to recover the shooting proficiency they had left behind in a hot first half, and ended up prevailing 103-97.
Gary Payton scored seven of his 27 points in overtime as the SuperSonics snapped a six-game losing streak – their longest in 12 years.
Seattle scored the first six points of the extra session on a layup by Desmond Mason, a baseline floater by Rashard Lewis and a jumper by Payton, taking a 94-88 edge with 3:31 left.
The lead was 98-94 before Payton hit a 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring with 28 seconds left, and the Grizzlies got no closer than four points thereafter.
On Thursday, the Sonics blew a 15-point halftime advantage in a 92-85 setback at Utah. In this one, Seattle led by 20 points late in the second quarter and 53-35 at the half. But Memphis climbed within 68-61 entering the fourth quarter and, trailing 74-65, went on an 11-0 run to take a 76-74 lead on a hook by rookie Drew Gooden with 5:37 left – its first lead since 7-4.
Mason tied the game on two free throws with 5:16 to go, and the teams remained within two points of each other thereafter in regulation. Lewis nailed a jumper over Pau Gasol with 16 seconds left to give the Sonics an 88-86 lead, but on the Grizzlies’ ensuing possession, Gasol passed out of a double-team to an open Brevin Knight, who nailed a jumper with 1.5 seconds to play to tie the game.
Payton shot an airball on a 3-point attempt over Shane Battier at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime.
Payton also had 12 rebounds and nine assists to help Seattle improve to 14-0 at home all-time against Memphis.
Lewis chipped in 24 points and Mason 20 for the Sonics, who scored 100 points for the first time since December 16 at Cleveland.
Gasol and Lorenzen Wright each scored 21 points and Gooden had 13 of his 15 in the fourth quarter and overtime for Memphis, which finished a 1-5 road trip and fell to 2-18 away from The Pyramid.
