Benjamin Scores 22, Sonics Rout Clippers

Benoit Benjamin scored 22 points, and the Seattle SuperSonics set a franchise record by making 63.5% of their shots in a 140-108 rout of the Clippers Wednesday night at the Tacoma Dome.

Benjamin, fined by the NBA earlier in the day for his behavior to the crowd during a loss to the Clippers last week at the Sports Arena, was on his best behavior this time against his former teammates.

“I hate to put pressure on a guy,” Seattle’s Eddie Johnson said, “but if (Benjamin) is a presence inside, that will open up things for the rest of us.”

Benjamin outdueled former SuperSonic Olden Polynice after being outplayed by him during the loss at Los Angeles last week.

Benjamin outscored Polynice, 22-16, and outrebounded him, 11-3, in addition to making nine of 11 shots and blocking two shots.

The SuperSonics hit 54 of 85 shots, eclipsing the previous mark of 62.9% against the Clippers on Nov. 26, 1985.

Ken Norman scored 27 points and Danny Manning had 21 for the Clippers, who played without Charles Smith, who has a bruised right thigh.

Seattle led, 60-55, in the first minute of the second half, then took control of the game with a 20-10 run for an 80-65 lead.

The SuperSonics led, 94-78, after three quarters and scored the first eight points of the fourth period for a 102-78 lead.

Seattle Coach K.C. Jones was assessed two technical fouls and ejected by official Derrick Stafford for arguing a call in the second quarter.

Assistant coach Bob Kloppenburg directed the team the rest of the game.

The Clippers, who were eliminated from the Western Conference playoff race the previous night, appeared to have a letdown against the SuperSonics.

Seattle outscored the Clippers, 46-30, in the fourth quarter and finished with the most points given up this season by the Clippers.

With the victory, the SuperSonics moved to within one-half game of the Golden State Warriors in the race for the seventh Western Conference playoff berth.

The Warriors, who did not play Wednesday, have five games remaining, three against teams bound for the playoffs.

Seattle has six games remaining and five of those are against teams headed for postseason action.

The seventh seeded team will meet the Midwest Division champion in the first round. The eighth-seeded team will meet the Pacific Division titlist.

Dana Barros scored 18 points in 16 minutes for Seattle.