Sonics
Frahm, nearly perfect, scores 31 to lift Sonics

By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter

	DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP Richie Frahm, front, picks up a loose ball in front of Nuggets guard Jon Barry during the fourth quarter.
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DENVER — Richie Frahm missed his first shot, a three-pointer from the corner. He had a good, long look at the rim, but still felt cold despite entering the game three minutes earlier in the first period.

For the rest of the night, he was perfect.

And because Frahm sank his next 10 field goals, including six three-pointers and all five of his free throws, the Sonics were able to overcome the absence of two injured starters, defeat Denver 115-106 at the Pepsi Center and snap their three-game losing streak.

Considering the circumstances, last night's victory was their gutsiest of the season.

The Sonics (12-13) had played 24 hours earlier and were throttled at home by San Antonio. Morale was down. Rashard Lewis, the only proven scorer in the starting lineup, said he felt tired before the game and would need a boost from teammates.

He scanned the locker room and didn't point out anyone in specific, but he should have looked in Frahm's direction.

"Richie got hot and he stayed hot," said Lewis, who held Denver rookie Carmelo Anthony to 12 points and chipped in 17. "Richie was the man tonight. We needed a big lift and he gave it to us."

Frahm, the Sonics' 26-year-old first-year guard, called the evening his best as a professional and the second-best day he has had on a basketball court.

He still fondly remembers leading Gonzaga to its first NCAA victory against Minnesota at KeyArena in 1999.

But last night, after the reporters gathered around his locker had dissipated and his teammates were finished with their congratulatory hugs, Frahm quietly let out a sigh of relief.

	DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP Nene, left, of the Nuggets pulls a rebound away from Reggie Evans of the Sonics during the first quarter.

"I feel like I finally belong," he said. "Instead of trying to make the team or proving I deserve to be here, I feel like I'm a part of the team. Like if they need me, they'll call on me."

Without Frahm's 31 points, five rebounds and three assists — all career highs — the Sonics don't win last night.

They don't survive Voshon Lenard's seven three pointers and 31 points or Andre Miller's 21-point, eight-rebound, five-assist and three-blocked-shot performance.

Without Frahm, Luke Ridnour's eight turnovers in his first start would have been the reason for yet another Sonics defeat even if the rookie scored 17 points on 5-for-8 shooting.

And no amount of prodding from coach Nate McMillan would have pulled the Sonics to a win.

Standing just off the court, he directed the Sonics through what seemed like every defensive and offensive possession.

Not having co-captain Brent Barry, who remained in Seattle to rest a strained left hip flexor, and Antonio Daniels, who remained on the bench because of an abdominal strain, McMillan took a more vocal role.

He wasn't animated; he was ani-Nated.

"Deny! Deny! ... Be patient! ... What are we doing?"

Soon the entire bench got into the act as the reserves stood for what seemed like the entire second half and yelled and cheered like a college team playing in the NCAA tournament.

Frahm, who scored 16 points in the first half and 10 in the fourth quarter, must have felt like a Bulldog all over again.

Emotions ran rampant throughout the building late in the third quarter after Sonics reserve forward Reggie Evans clashed with Nuggets reserve Ryan Bowen and opened a deep gash on Bowen's forehead. Bowen needed nine stitches to close the gash.

The crowd as well as the Nuggets, who appeared to sleepwalk through the first half, were suddenly awakened.

"I was a little worried that momentum would turn right then," McMillan said.

But the Sonics persevered against a Denver run that narrowed Seattle's 86-75 fourth-quarter lead to 90-85 with 8:49 left. The Nuggets were able to cut the deficit to 108-104, but Ronald Murray began a procession to free-throw line as the Sonics pulled away.

Murray had 24 points and 10 assists for his first double-double. He knows all about making the most of opportunities.

"Guys like us, you give us a chance and we'll show you what we can do," Murray said. "Richie got his chance tonight. He showed everybody, he can play in this league. He belongs here."

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com

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