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Grizzlies Winning Streak Ends With SuperSonics Victory

Seattle SuperSonics wins (98-97) Tuesday`s night game scoring an amazing 0ff-balance 19-footer with 0.3 seconds left basket. Allen`s 3-pointer gave the SuperSonics the lead over the Memphis Grizzlies destroying the Grizzlies` winning streak. The Grizzlies had their seven-game winning streak snapped despite Gasol"s offensive effort. However, Gasol"s points were part of the scheme Seattle devised against the Grizzlies, and Memphis didn`t have much of a supporting cast for its star. Coach Bob Hill said the Sonics were not going to double-team Gasol in the post no matter how many points he scored, and leave the perimeter uncovered for the Grizzlies" 3-point shooters. Consequently, Memphis was only 5-of-15 outside the arc.

Allen led the Sonics with 20 points and five assists, one of seven Seattle players in double figures. Johan Petro finished with 15 points and four blocks, while Rashard Lewis added 14 before being helped off the court with an ankle injury with 3:12 left. Earl Watson had 13 points and six assists for Seattle, while Wilcox and Luke Ridnour each scored 11. Mikki Moore scored 10 points and was one of three SuperSonics with seven rebounds. Jones had 16 points for Memphis, while reserve Mike Miller added 11. Gasol, who was 17-of-28 from the field, grabbed nine rebounds.

The SuperSonics built the lead to 12 points in the second quarter as Allen provided an offensive spark, scoring all of his 12 first-half points in the period. Seattle shot 56 percent in the half and carried a 59-49 lead into halftime. Gasol had 26 points in the half. Seattle maintained the lead until Memphis closed the third quarter with a 16-5 run, keyed by inside baskets from Gasol and 3-pointers from Jones and Bobby Jackson, to take an 80-76 lead into the final period.