Sonics' turnovers trump good deeds against Raptors

TORONTO — Unlike their two previous blowout defeats, the Sonics did enough good things to pull off an upset against the Toronto Raptors. They had a higher shooting percentage, more free throws, more rebounds, more assists and more fast-break points.

They led after the first quarter, built a 12-point lead early in the second quarter, were ahead by four at halftime and received a monster game from Chris Wilcox, who hammered the Raptors much like the snowstorm that pounded this city for the previous two days.

Still those good deeds weren't enough to overcome 22 turnovers that led to 30 Raptors points in a game that ended with a 114-106 defeat in front of a capacity crowd of 19,800 at Air Canada Centre on Sunday afternoon.

"We felt going in that we couldn't turn the ball over, and that's been a major problem to begin with," coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "Twenty-two turnovers for 30 points — you shouldn't even be in the game."

Ten of those were Toronto steals, meaning the Sonics — who lead the NBA with a 16.4 turnover average — had 12 unforced errors.

Seattle took 74 shots compared with Toronto's 92.

"I think we had a better field-goal percentage (54.1 percent to 48.9 percent), but when you give the other team 22 extra possessions, then you're not winning," said guard Earl Watson, who had 14 points and eight assists. "That's just killing yourself."

Eight Sonics had at least one turnover and for the second straight game, the starting backcourt of Kevin Durant (five) and Watson (four) had nine.

Even Wilcox was guilty of carelessness. He finished with four turnovers, which marred an otherwise stellar performance that included 28 points, 10 rebounds and five tomahawk dunks.

Normally, All-Star forward Chris Bosh would have guarded Wilcox, but Bosh missed his fifth straight game because of a sore right knee and the Raptors (34-28) inserted Rasho Nesterovic into the lineup. The reserve center wasn't much of a presence defensively, but he finished with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.

"Rasho had an excellent game," said Carlesimo, who was an assistant in San Antonio when Nesterovic played with the Spurs. "Rasho just stepped up. He was aggressive offensively. ... Rasho's game was excellent."

Nesterovic not only spoiled Seattle's day, but his productivity against Johan Petro might knock Petro from the starting lineup.

Carlesimo has been considering replacing Petro with Nick Collison or Francisco Elson, and in the second half, Petro played just 54 seconds. He finished with four points, six rebounds and two turnovers.

Collison, who played most of the second half, picked up the slack and had 12 points and eight rebounds. Damien Wilkins added 11 points off the bench and Durant finished with 20 points on 7-for-15 shooting and six rebounds.

For the first time in three games, the Sonics, who lost their fourth straight and fell to 16-47, received quality production from the reserves. They helped Seattle build a 39-27 lead early in the second quarter and a 58-54 advantage at intermission.

The Raptors went on a 6-0 run to begin the third quarter and took their first lead since midway in the first period. Collison's jumper put the Sonics up 68-66 with 7:46 left in the third before the Raptors began to pull away and took an 89-79 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Sonics fell behind 101-86 early in the fourth quarter and it appeared as if they were headed to another lopsided defeat. Wilcox, Durant and Luke Ridnour, however, led a short-lived comeback bid.

Ridnour, who had five points and five assists in the previous three games, looked as if he was finally going to break out of his slump before his day came to an abrupt end. He was tripped on a drive, stumbled face first on the court and opened a gash above his right eye that required three stitches. Ridnour, who had nine assists and six points, went to the locker room and never returned.

The Sonics trailed 103-98 with 3:46 remaining when he left.

On the next possession, Nesterovic flushed a dunk, and seconds later Carlos Delfino (15 points) stripped Wilcox and could have scored on a fast-break layup if Durant hadn't fouled him. Delfino drained the two free throws to give Toronto a 107-98 lead with 3:06 left.

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