Long Shots Pay Off for Surging SuperSonics

SEATTLE —  The Seattle SuperSonics made a playoff-record 20 three-point shots, including 13 in a row, to defeat the Houston Rockets, 105-101, Monday night and take a 2-0 series lead over the two-time defending NBA champions.

It was Seattle’s 11th consecutive victory over the Rockets, including six this season.

The teams combined for 33 three-point baskets, also a playoff record.

Detlef Schrempf led the SuperSonics with 21 points and Gary Payton, selected the league’s Defensive Player of the Year earlier in the day, had 18 points and made a key steal from Hakeem Olajuwon in the closing seconds.

Clyde Drexler scored 19 points for Houston. Olajuwon, held to six points in Seattle’s 33-point victory in Game 1, had 17 points and 16 rebounds.

Payton knocked the ball loose from Olajuwon in the corner with 10.1 seconds left after the Houston center rebounded Mario Elie’s missed three-point try with the Rockets trailing by two.

Shawn Kemp got the ball and was fouled by Olajuwon. Kemp then made two free throws to seal Seattle’s victory.

“I knew Hakeem was going to get the ball and try to do something,” Payton said of his crucial steal. “I stuck my hand in there and knocked it loose. Fortunately, Shawn was able to pick it up.”

Games 3 and 4 will be in Houston on Friday night and Sunday.

Seattle made 20 of 27 three-point shots (74%), and the Rockets made 13 of 37 (48%).

The SuperSonics broke Houston’s playoff record of 19 three-point baskets, set against Utah on April 29, 1995. The Rockets and Jazz combined for 28 three-pointers in that game.

Nate McMillan, who was five for five from behind the arc, said three-point shooting has become an important part of Seattle’s offense.

“Teams have been double-teaming us big-time,” he said. “So when our big guys get it down in the post, they kick it outside for the three.”

In the final quarter, Seattle made five three-point shots, including one by Sam Perkins that gave the SuperSonics a 103-99 lead with 2:11 left.

Elie cut it to 103-101 with a driving layup with 1:51 left, but those were Houston’s final points.

Trailing, 88-82, Seattle went on a 15-2 run for a 97-90 lead with 5:18 left. Hersey Hawkins made two three-point tries and Payton one in the run.

Payton made Seattle’s 13th consecutive three-point try with 28 seconds left in the third quarter. Drexler’s two free throws with 15 seconds left in the quarter gave Houston an 82-80 lead.

The teams had a combined streak of 17 consecutive three-point shots made before Smith missed with 1:24 left in the third quarter.