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Lewis leads balance attack as Sonics crush Blazers

Mar 19, 2007 - 4:57 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Rashard Lewis and the Seattle SuperSonics finally got over the hump.

Lewis had 27 points and 12 rebounds and Chris Wilcox added 26 as the SuperSonics snapped a five-game slide with a 95-77 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers.

It was the first road win for Seattle since capturing a 114-103 victory at Sacramento on February 11. The Sonics (26-40) are just 7-26 away from Key Arena this season.

"We needed this win," Wilcox said. "We had lost five straight."

Portland trailed by as many as 14 points before closing within 71-70 on Martell Webster's jumper at the 8:03 mark in the fourth quarter.

But the Sonics pulled away for good behind a game-changing 20-4 surge to make it 91-75 with 2:49 remaining. Lewis and Wilcox combined to score 14 points during the run.

"Well, I think the main thing is that we finished the game," Lewis said. "We got into a nice rhythm and stayed patient with the ball instead of forcing bad shots. We give up a lot of games in the fourth. We were able to keep the lead and get the win."

Wilcox dominated the paint.

"It opens it up for me and Ray (Allen) when (Wilcox) is going to the basket strong like that," Lewis said. "When he's taking his time and finishing strong or getting to the free-throw line. I thought he did a good job."

Nick Collison had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Allen netted 14 for Seattle, which shot 42 percent (31-of-73) from the field.

Zach Randolph scored 16 points and rookie Brandon Roy added 14 for the Trail Blazers, who have lost four straight games and eight of their last 10.

"We have to continue to build for next year," Roy said. "That is our motivation right now. We need to try and play strong and get through these tough times."

"The young players can still get a lot out of these year," Randolph said. "This can be a learning experience. Brandon is playing for something obviously in Rookie of the Year. LaMarcus (Aldridge) is still steadily improving. All the young guys can and still are getting better."