SuperSonics Leave Spurs Impressed

Add Tim Duncan to the list of those who believe the Seattle SuperSonics are for real.

The surprising SuperSonics built a 60-41 first-half lead Wednesday night, and then they got clutch scoring from Ray Allen down the stretch to hold on for a 102-96 victory to end San Antonio’s 21-game home winning streak. The Spurs’ winning streak began with an 88-84 victory over the SuperSonics on March 3.

“They’re a very good team,” said Duncan, who scored a season-high 39 points.

“Very well-coached -- they execute well,” Duncan said. “We have respect for them.”

The SuperSonics and Phoenix Suns are tied for the NBA’s best record at 16-3. It was Seattle’s second win this season against San Antonio in as many tries, and both times it topped 100 points. The best anyone else has managed against the Spurs, now 16-4, is 96 points.

Allen still called San Antonio the league’s best team and said the SuperSonics were taking shape.

“Right now, we’re just one of the teams with the best records,” said Allen, who finished with 29 points, including a pair of three-pointers late in the game after San Antonio pulled to within a basket. “We’ve got to beat teams consistently to be talked about as one of the best teams.”

Miami 101, Milwaukee 96 -- Playing only 21 minutes because of foul trouble, Shaquille O’Neal scored eight of his 18 points in the fourth quarter of the Heat’s victory at Milwaukee.

Desmond Mason had 19 points for the Bucks.

Minnesota 119, Philadelphia 84 -- Eddie Griffin, a Philadelphia native, made seven three-pointers and scored a career-high 27 points and Latrell Sprewell had 24 in his return from a one-game suspension, helping the visiting Timberwolves hand the 76ers their sixth straight loss.

Andre Iguodala had 18 points for the 76ers. Allen Iverson finished two for 13 for 14 points.

Denver 111, Washington 105 -- Andre Miller had a season-high 34 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as the Nuggets won the first of seven road games in 11 days, their longest trip since the 1987-88 season.

Gilbert Arenas had 28 points, but the Wizards’ four-game home winning streak ended.

Detroit 90, Toronto 86 -- Richard Hamilton scored six of his 19 points in overtime as the Pistons held on after blowing a 12-point fourth-quarter lead to beat the visiting Raptors, who lost Vince Carter to an injury.

Carter strained his left Achilles’ tendon in the opening minute of the second half and didn’t return. Carter’s status was not known.

Donyell Marshall had 22 points for Toronto.

Chicago 113, Cleveland 85 -- Rookie Ben Gordon had 21 points at Chicago to lead the Bulls to a rare lopsided victory. LeBron James scored 19 points for Cleveland, which shot only 36.3%.

Orlando 106, Utah 100 -- Cuttino Mobley scored 26 points at Salt Lake City as the Magic took command by making six of seven three-pointers in the third quarter to hand the Jazz its sixth straight loss.

Memphis 97, Atlanta 89 -- At Atlanta, Pau Gasol scored a team-high 24 points, but his only assist helped clinch the Grizzlies’ third win in four games under new Coach Mike Fratello.

Atlanta trailed, 89-86, with 55 seconds left and Al Harrington, who scored 26 points, missed a tough layup. Mike Miller then took a pass from Gasol and made a three-pointer for a 92-86 lead with 25.3 seconds left to clinch the win.

New York 86, New Orleans 79 -- Stephon Marbury had 22 points and nine assists to help the Knicks end a three-game losing streak and keep the Hornets winless at home (0-9).