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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Gary Payton simply refused to let
Seattle lose Tuesday night, allowing the SuperSonics to get the
first-round playoff matchup they wanted.
Payton had 33 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists for his 10th
career triple-double as Seattle clinched seventh place in the
Western Conference with a 119-112 overtime victory over the
Sacramento Kings.
|  | | Gary Payton passes under Chris Webber's arm Tuesday. |
Seattle, 2-2 against Sacramento this season, secured the playoff
spot with one game left in the season by having a better conference
record than the eighth-place Kings. The SuperSonics are 31-20
against the West, while the Kings are 25-26.
What it means: Seattle (45-36) plays Utah in the first round,
while Sacramento (44-37) must face the league-best Los Angeles
Lakers.
Payton scored eight of his points in overtime, when Seattle
scored eight straight to take a nine-point lead with 33 seconds to
play.
"It was a game we really wanted to win. It had nothing to do
with not wanting to meet the Lakers," said Payton, who scored a
career-high 43 points in his previous game.
"We were in their place. I know I need to come ready to play in
situations like this."
Payton made 13-of-28 shots and also played his usual strong
defensive game, getting three steals.
"I don't know what else to say about Gary Payton; he's almost
like one of those old-time gladiators," Seattle coach Paul
Westphal said. "He has such a great will to win."
Vin Baker scored 23 points, and Rashard Lewis had 22 points and
13 rebounds for Seattle, which has won two straight and three of
four.
The Sonics split four games this year with Utah and lost three
of four to the Lakers.
"It's no bargain getting to play Utah, but I think even Utah
would have to admit it's more wise to put off playing the Lakers as
long as possible," Westphal said.
Sacramento's Chris Webber had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 13
assists for his 13th career triple-double. Jason Williams had 23
points, and Predrag Stojakovic 20.
The Kings played the Lakers tough in all four games this year,
but beat them only once.
"They (the Lakers) are obviously better than Utah, but we have
full confidence against them," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We
played them close, but we will need to step up."
Stojakovic made a jumper from the baseline with 0.5 left, tying
the score 107-107 and sending the game into overtime.
"After he made that shot I thought, 'this isn't going to be
easy,"' Westphal said. "He had to make a great shot under
pressure to force overtime."
After Williams made his seventh 3-pointer to cut Seattle's lead
to 104-103, Payton made a turnaround jumper with 18 seconds left.
Williams' layup cut the lead to one point, setting the stage for
Stojakovic.
"There's no question we never lose confidence," Williams said.
"It's obvious we are going to have to pick it up against the
Lakers."
Trailing 97-92, the Sonics scored six straight, with the final
basket coming on a baseline jumper from Baker, putting Seattle
ahead 98-97 with 2:48 left.
The Sonics closed the third quarter with 15-6 run, assuming an
81-75 lead. Sacramento made one field goal in the final seven
minutes and didn't score in the last 3:19 of the period.
In a wild second quarter, Williams made four 3-pointers over a
2:59 span as the Kings rallied to take a 57-56 halftime lead.
Game notes
Payton had nine points, six rebounds and five assists in
the opening period as Seattle led 33-25. ... Webber missed nine of
his first 11 shots and finished 8-of-26. ... Williams had a stretch
where he made six consecutive 3-pointers. ... Surprise Seattle starters
Lazaro Borrell and Shammond Williams played a combined seven
minutes.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Seattle Clubhouse
Sacramento Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 114
Washington 81
Atlanta 111
New Jersey 109
Charlotte 103
Cleveland 88
New York 100
Detroit 88
Miami 97
Toronto 73
Philadelphia 93
Chicago 89
Dallas 112
LA Lakers 102
Denver 105
Utah 104
Portland 116
LA Clippers 100
Houston 107
Phoenix 98
Seattle 119
Sacramento 112
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