SuperSonics Dish Out Payback to the Kings

Four nights after losing badly to the Sacramento Kings, the Seattle SuperSonics were ready for the rematch.

Ray Allen scored 10 of his 22 points in the second quarter, leading the SuperSonics to a 104-93 victory Wednesday night at Seattle that ended Sacramento’s winning streak at four games.

Seattle has won five of its last six -- the only setback in that stretch being the 130-99 loss Sunday at Sacramento.

Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby each scored 19 for the Kings.

Sacramento was playing its fourth game in five nights and arrived in Seattle only 3 1/2 hours before tipoff because of a winter storm that was followed by freezing rain.

The SuperSonics improved to 6-2 since Allen returned Dec. 23 from surgery to remove a bone chip in his right ankle.

Dallas 105, Golden State 99 -- Dirk Nowitzki scored eight of his 23 points in the final 3:56, including a layup that put the Mavericks ahead for good in a victory over former teammate Nick Van Exel and the Warriors at Dallas.

Van Exel, who had 15 points, nine assists and six rebounds, received a pre-game ovation in his first game as a Warrior in Dallas.

Detroit 85, Houston 66 -- Richard Hamilton scored 16 points at Auburn Hills, Mich., as the Pistons won their seventh consecutive game by holding the Rockets to their lowest point total of the season. Steve Francis had 15 points for Houston.

Toronto 75, Cleveland 69 -- Vince Carter scored 11 of his 14 points in the final eight minutes for the Raptors at Toronto. LeBron James had 21 points and five assists for Cleveland.

Toronto rookie center Chris Bosh injured his right knee in the third quarter and did not return.

Boston 101, Orlando 93 -- Paul Pierce had 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists at Boston to help the Celtics extend the Magic’s losing streak to six games. Tracy McGrady had 28 points for Orlando, which has also lost six consecutive road games.

Milwaukee 95, Phoenix 87 -- Michael Redd scored 23 points at Milwaukee as the Bucks used a 12-0 fourth-quarter run to extend their winning streak to a season-high four games. Joe Johnson had a season-high 25 points for the Suns.

New Orleans 97, Washington 87 -- Baron Davis had 28 points and 10 assists at New Orleans. Larry Hughes had 15 points for Washington, which lost for the 12th time in 14 games.

Miami 102, Chicago 95 -- Eddie Jones scored 27 points as the Heat, coming off its lowest-scoring game of the season, held off the Bulls at Miami. The Heat lost, 87-65, to Indiana on Monday. Ronald Dupree, on a 10-day contract, had a team-high 18 points for the Bulls.

Memphis at Utah, ppd. -- The game was postponed because snow and ice prevented the Grizzlies from leaving Portland, Ore. A makeup date hasn’t been set.

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Point guard Charlie Ward was waived by Phoenix, which acquired him Monday from New York. Ward had a clause in his contract allowing it to be bought out before Saturday. ... New Jersey waived point guard Robert Pack and center Mikki Moore, clearing roster space for Eddie Griffin, who was waived by Houston last month and is expected to sign with the Nets this week. ... Minnesota signed guard Anthony Goldwire to a 10-day contract.