SuperSonics Hold On When Duncan Misses

Ray Allen’s 20 points and Vitaly Potapenko’s big defensive stop were just enough to save the Seattle SuperSonics.

Allen had an impact despite going scoreless in the final period and Potapenko forced Tim Duncan into a missed four-footer at the final horn in Seattle’s 92-91 win over San Antonio on Thursday night.

Reserve Antonio Daniels had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Jerome James scored 15 points on seven-of-seven shooting from the floor, helping the SuperSonics pull within 2-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. Game 4 is Sunday in Seattle.

Duncan scored 23 points with 11 rebounds, and his defense was as solid as ever -- he had four blocked shots.

But it wasn’t enough to carry the Spurs, who had won six straight playoff games. And this win was critical for the SuperSonics, because no team has won a playoff series after trailing, 3-0.

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili each had 18 points, but Seattle did a better job against San Antonio’s quick guards. Parker had 29 points in Game 1 and Ginobili 28 in Game 2.

With 2.9 seconds left, Ginobili inbounded to Duncan, who drove to his left on Potapenko. Duncan got a decent look, but his shot bounced off the rim.

Seattle held San Antonio without a field goal over the final 4:27.