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Sonics look to avoid 15th straight defeat vs. Spurs

Jan 29, 2008 - 2:50 PM San Antonio (28-15) at Seattle (9-35) 10:00 pm EST

SEATTLE (Ticker) - The Seattle SuperSonics own the NBA's longest current string of futility, and a tough upcoming opponent could make it hard to get on the winning track.

The Sonics will look to avoid a 15th consecutive loss when they host the defending world champion San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

Seattle came close on Sunday, falling 103-101 to the Sacramento Kings. Defense has been the largest problem of late, as the Sonics allow 105 points per game - the fourth worst mark in the NBA. They have yielded 100 or more in six of the last eight games.

While the Spurs look like a daunting task, if there is any coach in the league that knows how the defending champs operate it is Seattle's P.J. Carlesimo. The first-year Sonics coach served as an assistant in San Antonio from 2002-2007, contributing to three NBA titles.

Carlesimo is presiding over a rebuilding project this season, however, as Seattle attempts to build around rookie Kevin Durant, who leads the team in scoring at 19.4 points per game.

The Spurs will be trying to bounce back from consecutive losses to the New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili combined for 55 points in Monday's loss to the Jazz, but San Antonio committed 20 turnovers and Tony Parker managed just five points on 1-of-7 shooting.

The Spurs won the first meeting between the teams this season, getting 26 points from Tim Duncan en route to a 116-101 victory on November 25.