Game 4: Live Blog

With apologies to the Sports Guy, I've always wanted to do a Live Blog of a game. This is my first one, so it might be a bit rough, but let me try.

9:08: Starting lineup for the Sonics. I'm promised Luke Ridnour will play more tonight.

Earl Watson - Kevin Martin
Kevin Durant - Fransisco Garcia
Damien Wilkins - John Salmons
Chris Wilcox - Mikki Moore
Robert Swift (Bob Swift: Starter!) - Brad Miller

9:11: I just remember Reggie Theus is the coach of the Kings. I feel significantly better about the night.

9:13 Earl Watson is being guarded by Kevin Martin. I like that matchup for the Sonics.

9:14 Moore can take shots all night long

9:15 Durant nails a 3 and is promptly abused by Kevin Martin on the other side, with Martin drawing the foul. Teams have been been constantly attacking the Sonics after big made buckets all season.

9:18 Kevin Martin is a borderline deadly offensive player. You just don't see players improve like this once they get in the league. I don't see a player on the Sonics roster who can stop or even slow him down.

9:20 AND THE FOUL! Durant has 7 quick points after missing the free throw. Collison replaces Swift. I'm not sure what the thought process is behind starting Swift. Does Coach Carlesimo want to secure the opening tip that bad?

9:23 I wish Wilkins would apply his enthusiasm for taking shots to playing tough defense. 15-10 Kings, as Coach Carlesimo has to call timeout. Good timeout...something needs to slow down the Kings.

9:26 Just saw the final score of the Phoenix game. I'm really angry I don't don't have a bookie. Phoenix was only favored by 6 tonight. I would have bet my lifesavings on that.

9:27 I'm pretty sure an ugly 20-footer from Delonte West wasn't the play Coach Carlesimo drew up out of the timeout, but Collison bails out the airball putting it in. New Lineup: Ridnour, West Szczerbiak, Green and Collison. Its safe to say we haven't seen this lineup yet.

9:30 7-0 run for the Sonics. Ridnour took the rebound up and drilled a 20-footer. That was Nash-esque! Theus calls timeout for the Kings. The second unit actually provided a spark. West sliding over to shooting guard is a needed move, especially against a team without physical guards like the Kings.

9:33 2nd unit stays in. Someone named Quincy Douby gets in the game for the Kings. This can't be bad. Ridnour drills another 20-footer. Don't be afraid to step back a step. They are worth 3-points from there.

9:35 1:19 to go in the 1st. Why did Durant only get 4 minutes this quarter? Umm, Coach Carlesimo, he was pretty hot. Did you notice?

9:37 Quincy Douby drills a 3. I totally jinxed us. Quincy Douby is 1000 times the man I am.

9:38 Wally hits a long 2 to pull the Sonics within 1, 26-25. Wally has been a bit of a blackhole on offense, but if he's hitting the shots, you can't complain.

9:40 Check on my girlfriend. She's watching the new episode of Shot of Love With Tila Tequila. She is watching far too intently.

9:41 Ridnour remains in the game joined by Wilcox, Wilkins, Szczerbiak, and Bobby Swift. Every game is better when Bobby is in there. I missed him.

9:42 Five straight points on 3 straight shots from Szczerbiak. He calls for the ball and is promptly fouled. There's something about Szczerbiak that makes it hard for me to warm up to him, but its nice to have one true veteran.

9:43 BOBBY SWIFT gives the Sonics a 4 point lead.

9:45 It's Wally's World. We're just living it. 13 for Szczerbiak, 8 in this quarter.

9:46 Durant needs to come in after this timeout, but I'm convinced more than ever that the Starting Lineup needs changes. The five best players would be Collison, Wilcox, Szczerbiak, Durant and Ridnour. They might allow 150 points a game, but that's the best 5. I don't know if Szczerbiak needs to stay on the bench to provide instant offense.

9:48 Wilkins and Watson come in for Ridnour/West. West hasn't shown much since Game 1.

9:50 BOBBY SWIFT with the block, starting the break finished off by Wilkins with the layup. That's what I want to see.

9:51 This is getting ridiculous. Wally has 17.

9:52 24 second violation on the Kings. Kings fans, if you leave now you should miss traffic.

9:53 A methodical possession resulting in an open look for Wally, who now has 19 points on 8-9 shooting. I can't believe I was complaining about him earlier. What a player. MVP?

9:57 Uh-oh. Durant and Szczerbiak together. Can Reggie Theus just concede the game now? Has there ever been a worse hire? He was coaching college ball in New Mexico last year for Christ's sake.

9:59 Theus realizes he's allowed to use his timeouts, and halting a brief 29-6 run. That's TWENTY-NINE TO SIX. I'm so glad there's a lottery in the NBA, because there is no way the Sonics are going to be worse than the Kings this year. Ron Artest just threw his wife into his TV at home. To soon?

10:02 Watson steals, tosses to Durant who lets Collison have it for the finish. It's so easy sometimes.

10:04 Uh-oh. The lights got turned off. Reggie seems to have reminded the team that they are playing basketball. Coach Carlesimo calls a timeout, I think Wally needs a rest. He hasn't played 15 straight minutes in at least 2 years.

10:07 8-2 run by Sacramento until Jeff 'The Terminator' Green hits a mid-range jumper.

10:08 Durant with another 3!!!! I can't wait to type that 7,000 times over the next decade. How did we land him? How is it possible?

10:12 Green misses a jumper with 30 seconds left. It's going to be a rollercoaster season for Green.

10:13 Coach Carlesimo brings Szczerbiak off the bench for the last possession and he responds by hitting a 15-footer. 23 on the half for Szczerbiak.

10: 30 - 10:44 Nothing to say. Kings are closing the gap.

10:45 Ugh. Kevin Martin has 27 points in the middle of the third quarter.

10:47 Durant finally finishes off an ugly stretch of misses with a layup, forcing the Kings to call timeout with 4:18 left in the quarter. Nick Collison got the offensive rebound of Durant's errant three and assisted on the layup. Two things, first Collison is following up his bagel showing in LA by closing in a double-double.

10:51 Coach Carlesimo puts the second unit + Damien Wilkins (no Delonte West) back in. Let's hope they can

10:52 23 turnovers so far for the Sonics. It is REALLY tough to win games, and Kevin Martin makes them pay with his 29th point.

10:54 They go by the Grace of Wally. Wally hits a jumper while drawing a foul on Brad Miller. 25 on the night.

10:56 Durant comes in for Wilkins, pairing their two best options tonight, Szczerbiak and Durant.

10:57 Durant immediately goes to work drawing a foul off Mikki Moore (admittedly not the most difficult task) and hits a pair.

10:58 What a display. Ridnour fast break layup blocked...Durant cleans up and finishes at the rim for 2. Durant then strips Kevin Martin and slams it at the other end for 6 unanswered points. He has 21 on the night. He is dominating right now.

10:59 Douby races back after Durants slam and hits a bank shot at the buzzer to bring the Kings within 4, 78-74 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The Kings won the quarter, but at least Durant gave the Sonics back some momentum.

11:01 The refs are reviewing Quincy Douby's shot. AND ITS WIPED OFF!! 78-72 Sonics! Let's finish it!

11:02 Alright guys time to finish it. If anyone wanted to show up and help out Durant and Szczerbiak tonight now's the time. The starters minus Wilkins are in for the Sonics.

11:03 Wilcox goes to the line drawing Kenny Thomas' first foul. Wilcox has 6 points, 8 rebound on the night, but I think this is the first time I've typed his name. Not a good sign.

11:05 BOBBY SWIFT!!! with the foul. Crap. He really knows how to not stuff a stat-sheet. 2 points and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes of action. And Brad Miller hit the shot he was fouled on. Foul harder BOBBY!

11:07 Szczerbiak with his first rebound. That stops a perfect game for Wally who had 0 rebounds, 0 blocks, 0 assists and 0 steals before that.

11:08 Douby continues to make me pay for my ignorance. Another 3, only to be answered by Wally at the other end. Wally then fouls Salmons on D. He's everywhere!

11:09 Durant and Miller trade buckets, 84-82 at the official timeout.

11:13 Well, 3 minutes into the 4th quarter and they haven't been blown out of the game yet. That's progress.

11:14 I had a post all typed out bashing Earl Watson's distance shooting and he makes a traditional 3-point play over Kevin Martin. Sorry Earl. I won't doubt you again for at least 3 possessions.

11:15 SZCZERBIAK WITH ANOTHER 3!!!!! He's unconscious. How is this possible?

11:16 Durant forces a 3. Bad shot Kevin. You're better than that.

11:17 Wally draws the charging foul! Wally gives up his body! 92-88, as Reggie calls another timeout. I have to say, if this game comes down to X's and O's, I feel pretty good pitting Coach Carlesimo against a guy named Reggie.

11:21 Jump ball between Collison and Garcia. I'm worried about Garcia. Skinny guys can jump.

11:22 Collison to Durant. Great execution. Durant off the screen from mid-range...Good!

11:23 Martin has 31. Right now I hate him.

11:24 Really nice offensive possession. Wilkins missed from close range, grabbed his own rebound and passed to Szczerbiak who instead of immediately shooting it, pulled it out and made the Kings play more defense down 4 with 4 minutes left. The Sonics then rotated the ball around to Collison in the post who was fouled. Collison knocked down both shots.

11:25 Salmons has a 3-point play, 96-93.

11:26 Wilkins for 3. I just don't feel good when Wilkins is shooting, 40% from 3 last year or not. Just a feeling, I can' t explain.

11:28 Martin misses 2 free throws. He only shoots 90%, so this isn't surprising at all.

11:29 Coach Carlesimo calls timeout as Salmons heads to the line for two, with the Sonics up 96-93 with just under 3 minutes to play. The Kings seem to have momentum, but its nothing another Durant or Szczerbiak jumper wouldn't fix.

11:31 Durant hits a huge mid-range shot, countering Salmons free throws.

11:32 Shot Clock Violation Kings! 1:54 to go, 98-95 Sonics. Not many fingernails remaining.

11:33 Salmons with an easy layup, 98-97. Coach Carlesimo call timeout. 1 minute to play. Come on boys. Pull this one out. You deserve it.

11:35 Coach Carlesimo goes with Watson, Durant, Szczerbiak, Wilkins and Collison.

11:36 Durant turnover. Garcia hits the 3. Agony. 100-98 Kings take their first lead in forever. Coach Carlesimo assigns an assistant coach to let the air out of Garcia's tires in the parking lot. Sonics timeout, 29 seconds to play

11:37 Wilcox, Durant, Szczerbiak, Watson, Wilkins for the Sonics. Miller is the only big out for the Kings . Wilkins takes a hideous spinning bank shot which has no chance of going in. That's why you leave him on the bench Coach Carlesimo. He thinks he's at least 40% better than he is.
11:38 Brad Miller hits both free throws for a 4 point lead with 10 seconds left, sealing the win. Stupid, stupid loss. I'm very angry.

11:40 After the 700th timeout this quarter, Coach Carlesimo convinces the ref that shots taken behind halfcourt are worth four points. Durant for 4...Sonics Win!!!!

11:40 Sorry, I was hallucinating. Durant misses a 3 instead, Wilcox fouls Douby again on the rebound.

11:42 104-98 Kings. I'll discuss this more tomorrow, but right now I'm not happy. This should have been a win.