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Durant, Sonics edge Timberwolves in road trip opener

Mar 3, 2008 - 3:47 AM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Kevin Durant made sure the Seattle SuperSonics started their East Coast swing on a positive note.

Durant scored 25 points, including the game-tying basket in regulation, as the SuperSonics escaped with a 111-108 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.

Chris Wilcox collected 18 points and 15 rebounds and Earl Watson added 15 and nine assists to help Seattle put an end to its four-game slide.

Watson's 3-pointer pushed the Sonics' lead to 109-104 at the 1:15 mark in OT.

"Either I had a shot or Chris was rolling to the basket," Watson said. "It was just one of those situations where you play the game to whatever advantage the defense gave you."

But Randy Foye answered with four consecutive points for the Timberwolves to make it a one-point game with 18 seconds remaining.

Two foul shots by Durant created a three-point bulge one second later, giving the Timberwolves another opportunity to possibly force double-OT.

"The guys did a great job of fighting through adversity," Durant said. "(Minnesota) came out playing really hard in the second half and forcing a lot of turnovers particularly to myself and we played through that. It was a good win to start the road trip."

But Rashad McCants and Foye misfired from the arc in the final seconds as Seattle captured the opener of its seven-game road trip, which ends in "Motown" against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.

In regulation, Luke Ridnour drilled a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left as Seattle closed to 101-100. After rookie Corey Brewer split a pair from the line to give Minnesota a two-point edge one second later, Durant forced overtime with his driving layup with four seconds to go.

"I was impressed because it was one of our best end games all year in terms of realizing the time and score," Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "When you come from behind late in the game on the road, it is something to be proud of."

Ryan Gomes had a chance to help his team avoid the extra session but came up short on a 16-footer at the horn.

Al Jefferson carried the load for Minnesota with 30 points, 12 boards and five assists.