The Associated Press
The Seattle SuperSonics' Vladimir Radmanovic (right) and Minnesota Timberwolves' Joe Smith become entangled under the basket on Tuesday night in Seattle.

Sonics rip T-Wolves

Minnesota coach fumes over ref's call

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEATTLE -- Flip Saunders said the star treatment is alive and well after the Seattle SuperSonics knocked off the Minnesota Timberwolves 97-83 Tuesday night.

Vladimir Radmanovic scored a career-high 21 points and Rashard Lewis hit a pair of key 3-pointers as the Sonics wore down the Wolves.

But Saunders was referring to a double-technical foul being changed at the end of the first quarter that allowed Gary Payton to stay in the game instead of being ejected.

"Everyone talks about how there is no star treatment, Well?" Saunders said. "What happens is then the player (Payton) thinks he's got control of the game. He's jawing at our guys and he pretty much thinks that he's got much free rein to do things."

Payton had 18 points, 12 assists and six rebounds and Lewis had 16 points. The Sonics outscored the Wolves 16-3 over the last 7:39 as they pulled away from Minnesota.

The Sonics got a reprieve when Payton was called for his second technical foul at the end of the first quarter. Official Michael Smith called a double technical foul on Payton and Anthony Peeler. Smith changed his call after conferring with fellow official Tom Washington, and a technical foul was just assessed to Peeler.

Wolves players Kevin Garnett and Wally Szcerbiak were shaking their heads when asked about the call.

"I've never seen a double-technical rescinded," Szcerbiak said. "That's officiating in this league."

Garnett said it might have been the worst call he's seen during his NBA career.

"I am not complaining about the officials. I heard clearly "there is a double technical on 44 (Peeler) and 20 (Payton). That's why I was jumping up and down when it was changed."

Reporters clearly heard Smith call a double technical with 23.5 seconds left in the opening period.

About the incident, Payton said "they wanted to give both of us a tech, but I wasn't saying nothing. He (Smith) made the right call."

The Sonics and Payton made the best of their second chance. Seattle outscored Minnesota 28-15 in the fourth quarter.

For more Local Sports stories go to the Local Sports section.

Sonics 97, T-Wolves 83

- Record: 34-27.

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