The Associated Press
The Sonics' Gary Payton (20) drives against Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley on Saturday.

Sonics slow Pacers

Seattle defense leaves Indiana demoralized

STEVE HERMAN, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Seattle SuperSonics not only took away the Indiana Pacers' shooting, they also stole their spirit.

"We stopped playing together as a team. Not only were we fighting the Sonics, we were fighting ourselves, too," Pacers coach Isiah Thomas said after Seattle's 95-86 victory Saturday night.

Gary Payton scored 27 points and Seattle held Indiana to one field goal over the final seven minutes.

"We rebounded well, we played good defense. We made them do the things we wanted them to do, not what they wanted to do," Payton said. "It worked out to our advantage."

Indiana made only one of its last eight field goal attempts, a basket by Jalen Rose with 4:12 left that gave the Pacers their final lead, 84-83.

Brent Barry, who finished with 22 points, hit a basket and free throw a minute later to put Seattle ahead for good, and Rashard Lewis gave the Sonics an 88-84 lead.

Jeff Foster and Jermaine O'Neal each hit one of two free throws for the final points by the Pacers. Barry then hit a 3-pointer and Payton and Lewis had two free throws apiece in the closing seconds.

The final score represented the biggest lead of the game for either team.

"We're happy to escape with a win," Barry said. "In the last two games, we've had tremendous ball movement. When we get everybody involved, we're a dangerous team. Team basketball really wins in this league."

O'Neal led Indiana with 19 points. Reggie Miller and Foster added 16 points each.

Indiana, which shot 61 percent in the first half, led by eight after consecutive baskets by Miller and Rose midway through the third quarter and by seven after a 3-pointer by Miller with 52 seconds left in the period.

But Payton, who had 19 points in the first half, pulled Seattle within five, and Predrag Drobnjak cut it to 71-68 going into the fourth quarter. There were two more ties and three lead changes before the SuperSonics pulled away in the closing minutes.

For related stories go to the Local Sports section.

Sonics 95, Pacers 86

- Record: 23-20.

- Tuesday: Portland at Seattle, 7 p.m.

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