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Stepping up Patterson comes through in Sonics' 101-86 win over Mavs
Posted: Wednesday March 08, 2000 02:09 AM
SEATTLE (AP) -- Gary Payton got tossed, Vin Baker was in foul trouble, so Ruben Patterson took over. Patterson scored a career-high 32 points Tuesday as the Seattle SuperSonics overcame the ejection of Payton and a subpar night by Baker in a 101-86 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. "Some teams think I can just drive or post-up," Patterson said. "I wanted to show what I can do." He put together a highlight reel over the last 6:21, scoring 14 of Seattle's final 16 points. He made a 3-point shot, hit a mid-range jumper, had a couple of double-clutch layups and a thundering right-handed dunk. Payton was ejected late in the third quarter with the Sonics ahead 72-64. He left with 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Baker finished with six points on 2-for-12 shooting. The Sonics did not miss their All-Star guard because Patterson took over. Coach Paul Westphal said Patterson is too good of a shooter for teams to sag off him. "There's a perception that Ruben can't shoot. When they back off him and he has his feet set, he shoots it real good." Patterson was 6-of-9 in the fourth quarter and 12-of-20 for the game. He also finished with five steals and eight rebounds as the Sonics began a favorable part of their schedule at home. Counting Tuesday's game, the Sonics play 10 of their next 11 at Key Arena. Donn Nelson -- filling in for head coach Don Nelson, who had the flu -- said Patterson was unstoppable. "Our game plan was to let him take some outside shots, and we paid the price," Nelson said.
The Mavericks looked like they were on the verge of another blowout loss in the first half. They shook off the effects of a 130-109 beating by Sacramento on Monday night. That spirit pleased Nelson. "I was proud of the way we fought back," Nelson said. "We had the heart and energy to make this a close game, and I was proud of the guys." Many in the crowd of 13,261 came to see Dennis Rodman. He had 15 rebounds and two points in 35 minutes. Rodman was a perfect gentleman: no technical fouls, no antics. Payton was called for his fifth foul with 54.7 seconds left in the third quarter and was nailed for his second technical foul and ejected with Seattle ahead by eight points. The Mavericks missed a chance to cut the deficit. Nowitzki missed the technical free throw and Rodman was called for an offensive foul, nullifying Finley's basket. Baker countered with two free throws for a 74-64 lead after three periods. Dallas made a 19-6 run during the third period, trimming a 61-42 deficit to 67-61 with 3:28 left in the period on Erick Strickland's 3-point shot. Finley and Strickland led the comeback with six points apiece. Payton was brilliant in the opening half, with 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds. The Mavericks give up the most points in the league, and the Sonics had plenty of easy shots in rolling to a 57-38 halftime lead. Seattle shot 52 percent (24-for-46), while the Mavericks converted just 15-of-44. The Sonics built their biggest lead during the first half when Payton was resting. He sat out 5:10 in the second quarter, when the Sonics stretched their advantage from 16 to 22 points. Emanual Davis hit three consecutive baskets putting the Sonics up 53-31. The Sonics took command early. The Mavericks led only once, by two points. The most noise came when fans rose to their feet when Rodman attempted two free throws with 1:42 left in the half. Fans booed Rodman, who waved his hands, encouraging the fans to yell louder. He made both free throws.
Notes: Vernon Maxwell was put on the active roster Tuesday after spending 29 games on the injured list after he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Jan. 7. ...The Sonics beat the Mavericks for the eighth straight time overall. ...The Mavs are 4-9 since Rodman joined the team on Feb. 9. ...Don Nelson missed his fourth straight game. ...Magic Johnson attended the game and sat at courtside with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz.
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