Warriors cool off just as Sonics rally

Probability would dictate Golden State had to cool off.

But as bucket after bucket dropped, it appeared less and less likely.

Seattle's faltering perimeter defense allowed the visiting Warriors to put on a shooting clinic en route to scoring 72 opening-half points.

"We just couldn't get stops," Sonics guard Damien Wilkins said.

Instead of giving in, however, the Sonics came out more aggressive defensively to open the second half and the Warriors finally missed, clearing the way for the Sonics' 117-115 comeback victory at KeyArena.

The Sonics (10-11) have won their past four games at home and leave today on a five-game road swing against Eastern Conference teams. Seattle is 4-5 away from KeyArena.

"We talked about improving the defense," Sonics coach Bob Hill said of his halftime words. "We got three stops to start the second half and really never looked back."

The Warriors jumped to a 72-56 halftime lead because no matter who was guarding them, guard Baron Davis, forward Mickael Pietrus and reserve Matt Barnes zinged three-pointers and jump shots through the net with ease.

Golden State (10-11) opened the third quarter missing nine of its opening 10 attempts as the Sonics went on a 15-2 run to close to 74-71. Forward Rashard Lewis capped the sequence with a three-pointer off a Luke Ridnour feed. The Sonics hovered within single digits, finally inching ahead 89-88 after Wilkins made two free throws.

By the time Ridnour hit a three-pointer as the shot-clock buzzer sounded with 8:50 left in the game, the Sonics were up 98-91. Warriors coach Don Nelson held the symbol for timeout high in the air, hoping to stop Seattle's momentum.

It didn't.

Seattle wondered who'd fill the offensive void left by star Ray Allen, who missed his third game due to a bruised bone in his right ankle. He will not travel with the team in hopes to help the injury heal.

With Lewis double-teamed, Ridnour slipped in to score 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter. He started an early 11-3 run with a picturesque runner and led four Sonics with 20 points or more — a first since March 1996.

"A lot of times you get that big comeback and then you let down," Ridnour said. "But we just didn't give up."

The Warriors were 3 for 15 from three-point range in the second half after making their opening six in the game. Pietrus missed all three of his second-half attempts while Barnes was 2 for 6.

"We ran out of juice," said Nelson, who wanted to add to his milestone 1,200th victory achieved against New Orleans/Oklahoma City on Saturday. "We blew it all in the first half."

Watson finished with 20 points, but slightly injured his back late in the first half.

"I probably won't be able to walk very easily [today]," said Watson, who's averaged 15.6 points in his team's past three games without Allen.

Hill went small with Ridnour and Watson in the backcourt, Wilkins on the wing and Lewis and forward Chris Wilcox as the posts for majority of the game. The coach started a similar lineup at Golden State earlier this season, only it worked against him as Pietrus tore through the Sonics interior for 31 points in the 107-95 victory.

Sunday, the reserves again took advantage of increased minutes and proved worthy.

"We're just seizing the moment," Watson said. "We're kind of in a rhythm, but when Ray comes back, we still have to continue to play that same way."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com