Quest to be best
Utah, Seattle meet in battle of unbeatens
Posted: Tuesday February 16, 1999 02:27 PM
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Gary Payton is averaging 26.4 points per game. AP |
SEATTLE (Ticker) -- The only remaining undefeated teams in the NBA square
off Tuesday night when the Utah Jazz visit the Seattle
SuperSonics.
The Utah Jazz extended the best start in franchise history with a 120-112
overtime triumph over Sacramento on Monday. Karl Malone scored 26
points and has been Utah's leading scorer in every game this season.
The Jazz have not won a game by less than eight points and are defeating
opponents by a league-best average of 10.1 PPG.
The Sonics seem to be clicking on all cylinders. Hershey Hawkins broke out
of scoring slump with 20 points, as Seattle cruised to a 105-92 win over
Denver on Saturday. Gary
Payton led the team with 28 points.
Payton is averaging 26.4 points per game and has led the Sonics in scoring
every game this season. He's a big reason the team is gunning for its best
start since opening 10-0 in 1993-94.
Of Seattle's quick start, coach Paul Westphal says: "The schedule's been
good to us. But we've done what we were supposed to do."
Utah won three of four meetings with Seattle last season, with Malone
averaging 26 points as the leading scorer in every game.
The Jazz have won four straight road contests, tying the franchise record
to start a season set back in 1992-93. Seattle has won four straight home
games, but is a long way from the all-time high of 13 set in 1976-77.
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