Suns eclipse Hawks for sixth straight win
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-05 12:41

The SuperSonics appeared to put the tiring Pacers away with a quick burst at the start of the fourth quarter. Seattle went ahead 90-77 with 8:58 left on an ally-oop from Lewis to Vladimir Radmanovic, forcing Indiana coach Rick Carlisle to call timeout.

Seattle extended its lead to 16 before the Pacers made a final run.

Steven Jackson scored, and Artest followed with a 3-pointer and fastbreak layup to get Indiana within 98-89 with 3:48 left.

Artest made two free throws with 1:33 left and the Pacers were within 100-93. Allen made his second basket of the quarter with 1:12 left. Artest answered, but missed a 3-pointer with 35 seconds.

Lewis shot 4-for-5 from the line in the final minute to help seal the win for the Sonics.

Lewis finished with 23 points on 6-for-17 shooting, the sixth straight game in which the 6-foot-10 forward scored at least 20 points.

Murray again provided scoring and energy in a reserve role. After scoring a season-high 24 on Friday against Cleveland, Murray scored 14 points in the second half.

Sarunas Jasikevicius added 16 points and nine assists in his second start for the Pacers, and Jackson finished with 15. The Pacers shot 53 percent, but were outrebounded 37-28.

Indiana wrapped up its longest road-trip of the season 3-2, falling in Phoenix and picking up wins over the Clippers, Utah and Portland.