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Lewis has season high 35 as Sonics beats Clippers

Nov 23, 2006 - 6:39 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Rashard Lewis and the Seattle SuperSonics liked the idea of being the first team to beat the Los Angeles Clippers at home.

Lewis scored a season-high 35 points and Ray Allen added 23 as the Sonics handed the Clippers their first home loss with a 95-85 victory.

Los Angeles entered the game with a 6-0 record as the home team at the Staples Center, but Lewis helped Seattle start strong, netting nine points in the opening quarter for a 27-18 advantage.

"It seemed like Rashard scored so easy tonight," Sonics coach Bob Hill said. "They were double teaming him, fronting him and he just took his time and read the double teams when they did come. He took the right shots. He really played a great game."

Seattle owned a 49-43 advantage at the break. Lewis scored 11 of the Sonics' final 14 points in the third quarter, resulting in a 69-62 cushion.

"I thought they were a little bit slow in doubling me in the post," Lewis said. "That gave me time to make my move and get into my shot. I noticed they were coming but not right away. They were coming when I went to make my move."

After the Clippers crept within 75-72 on a jumper by Elton Brand with 8:12 left, Allen drained a 3-pointer to double the lead with 7:54 remaining. Seattle was never threatened thereafter.

Tim Thomas scored 15 points and Sam Cassell added 13 for Los Angeles, which dropped its second straight game.

Brand contributed just seven points on 3-of-12 shooting but grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked four shots. Chris Kaman added 12 points and 14 boards for the Clippers, who were outrebounded, 48-40.

"We doubled Elton a lot of times and at different times," Hill said. "When he caught it and when he dribbled it. Then late, we didn't double him at all. We got him out of rhythm and that helps."