Sonics Tame T'Wolves 114-80

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

March 15, 1998 / 12:00 AM EST / CBS Sportsline

The Minnesota Timberwolves found out what a little bit of rest can do for the Seattle SuperSonics.

Six days ago, Minnesota forced Seattle into overtime before the Sonics won 99-98 at the Target Center.

After a three-day layoff, the Sonics played like the team with the best record in the NBA Saturday in routing the Timberwolves 114-80.

Sam Perkins scored 18 points in 17 minutes as the Sonics won their third straight game and welcomed veteran swingman Jerome Kersey back to the lineup after an 18-game absence because of a separated left shoulder.

Kersey had 13 rebounds as Seattle outrebounded Minnesota 50-48.

"It was great getting back into a game," Kersey said. Before his shoulder injury, he missed 26 games with a stress fracture in his left foot.

"We've done a lot of talking about rebounding, so I was able to contribute and get some boards," Kersey said.

The Sonics are the worst rebounding team in the league. Kersey played 21 minutes and also blocked a shot by Stanley Roberts, Minnesota's 7-foot center.

Sonics coach George Karl was pleased with the performance of his team, which is 11-5 since the All-Star break. The impressive victory was a tuneup for their meeting Monday in Seattle against the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Recently we haven't played with a lot of zip," Karl said. "The team was energized and did a lot of good things all over the court."

The Sonics bench outscored the Wolves reserves 57-31. Perkins, Dale Ellis and Greg Anthony combined for 43 of those points on 17-for-21 shooting.

The Wolves, the second-highest scoring team in the league behind the Lakers, are 0-11 when held under 90 points. The Sonics forced the Wolves into 21 turnovers and turned them into 29 points.

Seattle won its third straight game and took the season series from Minnesota 3-1.

Gary Payton had 13 points, 14 assists and five steals for Seattle.

Hersey Hawkins' 3-pointer gave Seattle its biggest lead at 102-70 with 6:41 left.

Kevin Garnett and Sam Mitchell led Minnesota with 12 points each. Stephon Marbury had 10.

Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders was disappointed with his team's effort against a team they might face in the plaoffs.

"If we play like we did today, we won't be a tough matchup for anyone. We wouldn't be a tough matchup in March Madness if we played like we did today," Saunders aid.

Minnesota was within 62-52 after a Roberts' dunk with 6:35 left in the third quarter. But the Sonics went on a 12-2 run, capped by Jim McIlvaine's dunk. The key play of the run was made by Payton, who stole the ball from Marbury, drove the length of the floor and fed Detlef Schrempf with a behind-the-back pass for a layup.

Notes: Sonics coach George Karl didn't talk to the media prior to the game because he was busy watching the NCAA tournament game between his alma mater, North Carolina, and North Carolina Charlotte. North Carolina won 93-83 in overtime. ... Kersey, who separated his left shoulder Jan. 28 at Utah and missed 18 games, was activated for the game against the Wolves and made his first appearance with 19 seconds left in the first period. ... David Wingate was placed on the injured list with a strained right hamstring. ... Tom Hammonds took a knee to the forehead with 10:25 in the second quarter but returned during the third quarter. ... George Zidek of Seattle made his first career 3-point shot at the buzzer. He is now 1-for-3 for his career from long range.