SuperSonics 119, Lakers 98

By TIM KORTE
AP Sports Writer

SEATTLE (AP) The Seattle SuperSonics aren't declaring themselves playoff material, even after putting the brakes on Kobe Bryant.

Ray Allen scored 32 points and held Bryant to 14 as Seattle beat the Los Angeles Lakers 119-98 on Sunday night. Rashard Lewis returned from a one-game injury absence to score 24 points

It was a decisive victory, arguably Seattle's best effort of the season. The Sonics, making a late bid for the final Western Conference playoff spot, had their highest point total of the season and shot a season-high 56 percent.

``We don't really think about the playoff picture around here,'' said Brent Barry, who had 15 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. ``Our team is simply building for the future.''

Seattle pulled within 2{ games of Phoenix and Houston for the No. 8 spot in the West.

The Sonics are being cautious as they embark on a two-game trip to Chicago and Minnesota. They also have a Texas swing April 11-14, hitting San Antonio, Houston and Dallas, so the playoffs are by no means a lock.

``If we win them all, we'll probably get in,'' Allen said, breaking into a smile.

The Lakers' three-game winning streak ended two nights after Bryant had the NBA's top scoring performance of the season.

He scored 55 points against Washington and Michael Jordan on Friday night but fell with a thud against Seattle, going for less than half of his 30.4 average with his third-lowest point total of the season.

``It's tough,'' Bryant said. ``You've got to get into the flow of the game. I'll get it back, though.''

Bryant had only three points at halftime, a big drop from his 42-point first-half effort against the Wizards.

``Until the second half he wasn't getting it going,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. ``I guess you'd have to say Ray Allen played some good defense on him.''

Bryant explained the difference between the two games by saying the Lakers wanted to go to Shaquille O'Neal, who scored 34 points on 11-of-12 shooting, to exploit Seattle's soft inside game.

``It's a different mind-set,'' Bryant said. ``You've got the mind-set of attacking, being aggressive and scoring the ball. Then you try to be more all-around. I was just trying to get in a rhythm. It's all about re-establishing that.''

The Sonics took control early in dominating the three-time defending champions.

Barry hit two 3-pointers midway through the second period to put Seattle ahead 37-27 and Allen had six points during an 11-4 run that made it 50-33 with 2:35 remaining before halftime.

``They shoot well in this building,'' Lakers forward Robert Horry said. ``They moved the ball so well tonight. They were penetrating well and kicking and making shots. We didn't put it in the basket and they did.''

The Lakers shot 3-of-14 in the second period.

``It's one game,'' Bryant said. ``Obviously, we have some weaknesses. We're not as unbeatable as we were in years past. That's going to happen, but we're still the defending champions until someone proves us otherwise.''< ^Notes:@ O'Neal, who left without speaking to reporters, hit his first six field goals and his first four free throws. ... Referee Joe Crawford lost his balance and tumbled downcourt late in the third quarter, then later smiled and pointed to his right biceps to show he was OK. ... Brad Kaul of Renton swished a halfcourt shot at halftime to win $100,000 in a radio station promotion. He missed a 75-footer for $1 million.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)