Back-to-Back Speed Traps

After losing by 17 points to the Phoenix Suns, the team with the best record in the NBA, on Saturday at Staples Center, the Clippers will get a chance to chase around another run-and-gun team in the Seattle SuperSonics over the next two nights, starting tonight at KeyArena.

The SuperSonics lead the Northwest Division with a 24-8 record, thanks to three-point shooters Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and Vladimir Radmanovic.

The Clippers have made only 2.8 three-point baskets a game with Marko Jaric, still sidelined because of injury, leading the way with a 1.2 average. Allen, Lewis and Radmanovic have each averaged more than two made three-pointers every time they’ve taken the court this season.

“Seattle is a lot the same [as Phoenix because] you have great shooters on the floor,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said after practice in El Segundo on Monday. “But they probably have a better defensive presence in the low post.”

The Suns like to feature natural power forward Amare Stoudemire at center and swingman Shawn Marion at power forward, but the SuperSonics have a group of big men who are not afraid to play physically inside, led by Danny Fortson, Reggie Evans and Jerome James.

It is Seattle’s willingness to bang underneath the basket that separates them from the Suns, according to Dunleavy.

“They have big guys who can defend bigger guys,” Dunleavy said. “They have a good mix. They can play big or small and as long as they can find someone who’s making shots, they’re [dangerous]. You have to play them a full 48 minutes.”

In Seattle’s come-from-behind, 108-98 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat on Sunday, that person was Radmanovic. In the fourth quarter, Radmanovic scored 11 of his season-high 27 points, including three of his five three-point baskets.

Seattle, 12-3 at home this season, is led by Allen, who averages a team-high 23.9 points. But the SuperSonics also have Lewis, who quietly is averaging 21.5 points and 5.8 rebounds.

“Miami had a 12-point lead on them deep into the third quarter but they were able to run their way back into it,” Dunleavy said. “Individually, you have to defend pretty well against them. You have to contend shots and control the boards.”

*

TONIGHT

at Seattle, 7, FSNW2

Site -- Key Arena.

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- Clippers 16-16, SuperSonics 24-8.

Record vs. SuperSonics -- 1-0.

Update -- The Clippers are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race and need to show that they can defeat the top teams in the West. As long as Coach Mike Dunleavy can keep his team near or above the .500 mark after next month’s All-Star break, the Clippers will have a chance to make a run for postseason play for the first time since the 1996-97 season.