Notebook | Owner Bennett looking to OKC for arena funding

Sonics owner Clay Bennett is campaigning for a new arena again -- only this time, he's doing it in Oklahoma City.

Voters there will decide March 4 whether to back a proposal to extend a penny sales tax and use about $121 million to upgrade the Ford Center and build a practice facility. While no organized opposition has emerged, one city council member encouraged lease negotiators to insist on the team paying for part of the project.

Bennett, who has petitioned the NBA to move the Sonics to his hometown, said methods of paying for arenas is "a decision for each market to make."

Bennett, who sought public financing for a $500 million arena in Renton, said the upgrades planned in Oklahoma City would be "exactly what we need for the foreseeable future."

In his presentation, Bennett characterized Oklahoma City -- which would be among the NBA's smallest markets -- as a favorable place to play if the team is able to maximize its revenue streams and if local government and businesses rally around the team.

Swift on the mend

Robert Swift, who hasn't played since Nov. 11, said he'll learn today if he's going to play Saturday against New York. The Sonics center, who underwent right knee surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament on Oct. 25, 2006, suffered a setback in November and has missed the past 39 games due to knee tendinitis.

"I'm feeling way better than I did in November," said Swift, who has been practicing with the team the past few days. "There's no pain or swelling in the knee after I work out. I'm ready to go."

Swift reduced his body fat from 15 percent at the start of the season to 10 and has dropped his weight to 270 pounds. He'll be limited to 12 to 15 minutes in the first few games of his return.

Notes

• Sonics F Wally Szczerbiak sat out with a sprained right ankle.

When asked when Szczerbiak would return, coach P.J. Carlesimo said: "I don't know. I didn't ask [trainer Mike Shimensky] whether he's day to day or whether it's off tonight and he'll be OK tomorrow or OK Saturday. I usually don't even ask. My sense is -- in particular, knowing Wally, who's missed very few practices and games -- that he'll be back much sooner than later."

Szczerbiak had played in every game this season.

The Associated Press

and Times reporter Percy Allen

contributed to this report.

CLEVELAND
min		fgm-a	ftm-a	or-t	a	pf	pts
DBrown	9:06	0-3	0-0	0-0	0	0	0
Gooden	19:14	3-8	4-4	2-3	1	3	10
Ilgauskas	35:39	3-13	11-11	3-9	5	2	17
Newble	18:59	2-4	0-0	2-3	0	2	4
Hughes	37:25	10-21	4-4	2-6	5	1	28
Gibson	33:15	5-11	0-0	0-0	6	4	13
DaJones	28:02	5-12	0-0	0-3	1	2	15
DwJones	25:16	1-1	1-2	5-7	0	2	3
Snow	16:18	1-1	0-2	0-1	0	1	2
Marshall	9:16	0-2	2-2	0-1	0	1	2
SBrown	7:30	0-2	1-2	0-0	0	2	1
Totals		30-78	23-27	14-33	18	20	95

Percentages: FG .385, FT .852. Three-point goals: 12-27, .444 (Da.Jones 5-11, Hughes 4-8, Gibson 3-7, Marshall 0-1). Team rebounds: 8. Team turnovers: 13 (12 PTS). Blocked shots: 6 (Ilgauskas 3, Dw.Jones 3). Turnovers: 13 (Gibson 4, Gooden 3, Hughes 3, S.Brown, Da.Jones, Dw.Jones). Steals: 9 (Hughes 3, S.Brown, Gooden, Da.Jones, Dw.Jones, Newble, Snow). Technical fouls: Defensive three second, 1:45 first.

SEATTLE
min		fgm-a	ftm-a	or-t	a	pf	pts
Green	35:01	8-8	0-0	1-3	3	1	17
Wilcox	31:22	7-13	4-4	5-13	1	4	18
Thomas	32:14	8-10	0-0	0-6	3	3	16
Durant	30:09	10-16	4-5	1-3	4	2	24
Watson	27:54	2-6	0-0	0-3	12	1	5
Collison	16:23	3-6	0-0	0-4	0	4	6
Ridnour	20:43	0-2	2-2	0-0	4	2	2
Petro	15:24	3-9	0-3	1-3	0	3	6
Wilkins	12:59	2-5	0-0	0-0	3	0	5
West	17:51	1-3	0-0	0-5	4	1	2
Totals		44-78	10-14	8-40	34	21	101

Percentages: FG .564, FT .714. Three-point goals: 3-7, .429 (Green 1-1, Wilkins 1-2, Watson 1-3, West 0-1). Team rebounds: 9. Team turnovers: 18 (21 PTS). Blocked shots: 4 (Durant 2, Green, Petro). Turnovers: 17 (Durant 5, Ridnour 3, Watson 3, Green 2, Wilcox 2, Collison, Thomas). Steals: 6 (Thomas 3, Durant 2, West). Technical fouls: None.

Cleveland	24	18	26	27 -- 95
Seattle	40	22	23	16 -- 101

Attendance: 13,109 (17,072). Time: 2:17. Officials: Jason Phillips, Sean Corbin, Tom Washington.