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Lewis back to form as Sonics top Kings

Feb 12, 2007 - 5:53 AM SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- Ray Allen is glad to have his sidekick back.

With star forward Rashard Lewis healthy, Allen was freed up on the perimeter and scored 25 points as the Seattle SuperSonics exacted a measure of revenge on the Sacramento Kings with a 114-103 victory.

It was the second end of a home-and-home between the teams after Sacramento coasted to a 114-93 victory on Saturday.

"We got embarrassed at home (Saturday)," Seattle forward Chris Wilcox said. "We knew what we had to do to, come out and win this game. We just came out and got on top of them early and tried to take the fight out of them."

Wilcox had 25 points and seven rebounds for the SuperSonics, who have recorded back-to-back road wins after losing a franchise-record 17 in a row from November 18 to February 7. Seattle snapped its road skid at Indiana on Wednesday.

Sonics coach Bob Hill was encouraged by how his team finished the game after Kings guard Kevin Martin's 3-pointer cut Seattle's lead to two with 6:27 left.

"It was a big win. Now, we've got a two-game road winning streak," Hill said. "I told them, 'You've earned the game, now you've got to finish it and put it away.' So, we came out and scored the ball, then got a stop, hit a three and, we were on our way. That's what you have to do on the road."

After missing 22 games with a torn tendon in his right hand, Lewis returned on Saturday, scoring 14 points on just 2-of-11 shooting. Just one night later, Lewis turned it around, collecting 25 points and 10 rebounds and shooting 7-of-19 from the field and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.

"I felt great but I still have to get that rhythm," Lewis said. "I thought I missed some easy shots that I should have made. But at the same time, it's my second game back after not playing a long time, so it'll come back."

Lewis, who played with a protective glove on his injured hand in his first game back, shed it on Sunday.

"I just felt like I couldn't get the full grip of the ball," Lewis said. "(Saturday) the ball was slipping out of my hand when I had to make a quick decision with it, and I felt like my shot was a little off, so I just wanted to go without it."

One of the game's premier sharpshooters, Allen had been swarmed on the perimeter with Lewis out of the lineup. However, with the versatile Lewis able to drive the ball into the teeth of the defense, Allen shot 10-of-23 from the floor - including 3-of-7 from the arc - with most of his shots uncontested.

"Anytime any one of us on this team is (out), it forces other guys to step up," Allen said. "With him back in the lineup, it gives us even more confidence and it's more of a headache for the other team. We sense that and try to play off it."

Martin, who scored 26 points in Saturday's win, had another effective game for the Kings. He scored 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting.

"It's tough, especially after how we beat them (Saturday)," Martin said. "They came out with a little more fire in their hearts. We've got to get on this road (trip) and get a couple (wins)."

Despite Martin's efforts, the Kings fell into a 59-43 hole at halftime and were unable to recover.

"We played probably one of worst first halfs we've played all year," Martin said. "We just tried to come out and give a little more energy (in the second half) and see what happens."

Ron Artest had 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Kings, who shot 46 percent (38-of-82), including just 8-of-21 on 3-pointers.