Sonics Race Past Mavericks

May 5, 1999 / 2:07 AM EDT / CBS/AP

In what might have been a glimpse into the SuperSonics' future, rookies Vladimir Stepania and Jelani McCoy played key roles in Seattle's home finale.

The Sonics, who became a lottery team when they were eliminated from the playoffs Monday night, beat Dallas 110-100 on Tuesday night. Stepania, a slender 7-footer from Slovenia, had a career-high 17 points and 10 rebounds, while McCoy had a career-best 14 points.

"We had good performances from the young guys," Sonics coach Paul Westphal said. "That's something to build on."

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The Sonics got 24 points from Gary Payton before he was ejected after receiving his second technical foul with 2:16 left. The two technicals gave him 22 for the season, the most in the NBA.

Don MacLean added 18 points and Vin Baker 15 for Seattle.

"I'd be hyped up to play a game in Timbuktu," McCoy said of Seattle's meaningless win. "Any time you get extended minutes you want to take advantage of your opportunity."

Stepania started at center in place of Olden Polynice, who did not play. He sank five free throws in the final minute.

"It's amazing to me how far he (Stepania) has come since the beginning of the year," Westphal said. "He showed why we like him very much."

Said Stepania: "I believe in my teammates and I think they believe in me now. I'm disappointed we didn't make the playoffs, but I'm going to work on my conditioning and get stronger for next year."

If Stepania and McCoy turn into productive players next season, it will take some of the sting out of the Sonics' disappointing season.

In the NBA draft last June, Seattle got them late, picking Stepania in the first round with the 27th selection and McCoy in the second round with the 33rd choice.

Seattle can finish its season at .500 with a win over the Clippers in Los Angeles o Wednesday night.

Michael Finley scored 34 points and had 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, who missed the playoffs for the ninth year in a row.

"I think I've got a team on the injured list that could beat the one that I put on the court tonight," Mavericks coach Don Nelson said.

Dallas was without Cedric Ceballos, Robert Pack, Steve Nash and Gary Trent.

The Sonics, who were in the NBA Finals against Chicago three years ago, were eliminated from postseason contention Monday night when Sacramento beat Denver to clinch the eighth playoff berth from the West.

They missed the playoffs for the first time since the 1989-90 season.

For Dallas, Hubert Davis hit five 3-pointers and scored 21 points and Shawn Bradley had 17 points and 15 rebounds.

"Tonight was the case of two non-playoff teams with one not battling in the first quarter," Bradley said, noting Seattle took a 38-27 lead in the opening period.

It may have been the final game in Seattle for Baker and Detlef Schrempf.

Baker can opt out of the final year of his contract and Schrempf will become a free agent. Baker is expected to seek a seven-year, $87 million contract.

Notes: The Sonics beat Dallas for the fifth straight time and for the 26th time in 32 games. They were 3-0 against the Mavericks this season. ... The 38 points by Seattle in the first quarter were the most they've scored in a period this season. ... Dale Ellis also did not play for Seattle. ... The 34 points by Finley were the third highest total against the Sonics this season.