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Durant struggles as Sonics edge Cavaliers

Oct 13, 2007 - 2:42 AM By Jeff Brewer PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Rookie Kevin Durant didn't exactly light it up in his first matchup with superstar LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Struggling through a poor shooting night, Durant scored 15 points and did just enough to help the SuperSonics post a 96-90 victory over the Cavaliers in a preseason contest on Friday night.

The second overall pick in this June's draft, Durant shot 2-of-10 in the first half en route to a less than stellar 5-of-22 mark from the field overall. He also had seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Playing their third game in four nights, the Cavaliers struggled against the Sonics' zone defense and fell behind 80-66 after three quarters. James needed an ice pack on his shoulder after collecting 14 points and five assists in 22 minutes.

Cleveland also was without the services of three key role players from last season and its most recent acquisition via trade.

Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao are in contract negotiations and have been absent since camp opened on October 1. Eric Snow will be sidelined at least four to five more weeks after knee surgery.

Cedric Simmons, who was acquired from the New Orleans Hornets on September 29, also is sidelined with a left ankle bone bruise.

Chris Wilcox scored 20 points and Wally Szczerbiak added 14 for Seattle.

Shannon Brown had 19 points and Ira Newble added 13 for Cleveland.