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Without Lewis, Sonics aim to end skid vs. red-hot Raptors

Dec 23, 2006 - 3:33 PM Toronto (12-15) at Seattle (10-17) 10:00 pm EST

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Despite their losing record, the Toronto Raptors are in first place in the Atlantic Division.

Coming off two dramatic wins, the Raptors on Saturday will take on the struggling Seattle SuperSonics, who are playing without another top scorer.

After its win and New Jersey's loss on Friday, Toronto is one-half game ahead of the Nets in the Atlantic Division.

Rookie Andrea Bargnani drained the go-ahead jumper with four seconds left in the extra period and T.J. Ford collected 23 points and 10 assists as the Raptors picked up their second straight thrilling win, a 101-100 victory over Portland on Friday.

On Wednesday, Ford nailed a foul-line jumper as time expired as Toronto posted a 98-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Luke Ridnour had 21 points and nine assists and Chris Wilcox added 18 points and nine rebounds for the SuperSonics in a 103-95 loss to Dallas on Wednesday. Seattle has lost six straight contests.

The Sonics also suffered a huge loss when second-leading scorer Rashard Lewis left in the opening quarter with an injury to the tendon in his right hand. He will be sidelined up to eight weeks.