Sonics get even with Spurs

The belief began with Nate McMillan, who refused to let the Sonics think about who wasn't playing.

During his pregame address to the team, he barely gave notice to Rashard Lewis and Vladimir Radmanovic, who are injured and didn't play yesterday.

McMillan inserted backup guard Antonio Daniels into the starting lineup and directed Luke Ridnour to establish a frenetic pace, leading to a run-and-gun brand of basketball that overwhelmed San Antonio in the Sonics' 101-89 victory in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals that evened the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.

"For the first time ... it was just a flow, everybody was coming in and when you were tired you sat down," Ray Allen said of McMillan. "I didn't sit on the bench long. It seemed like he was drawing plays and we were getting open. It was like he was in a rhythm, too. It was awesome to see because it was like he was out there taking shots with Luke or me or AD because he had a flow too.

"For the last two years, he's been experimenting. Last year, trying to figure out plays. It seemed like tonight it all came [to] the perfect conclusion."

McMillan became a minimalist. He didn't alter the playbook, but reduced it dramatically. He didn't yell or scream or give any emotional speeches.

In perhaps his biggest game since becoming the Sonics coach seven years ago, McMillan rolled the dice and went small. He employed a three-guard offense that produced 71 points.

MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES Nick Collison blocks the shot of San Antonio's Manu Ginobili, who made just 4 of 10 shots last night.

"We wanted to push the ball and I felt like we could tonight with three guards being in the lineup," McMillan said. "By having Ray, Luke and Antonio in the game, we wanted to keep pressure on their defense."

Something about Game 4s brings out the best in Allen, who poured in a career-playoff best 45 points in the fourth game of the first-round series.

Last night, he started fast, scoring 12 points in the first quarter and 17 by halftime before finishing with 32 points on 12-for-20 shooting, including three three-pointers.

Daniels was nearly as good early on, scoring 11 of his 19 points in the first half and darting to the basket in a reckless fashion that became infectious.

Soon, it seemed every Sonic was making the aggressive plays, while the Spurs appeared a step slow.

In the first quarter, reserve forward Damien Wilkins (15 points and six rebounds) slapped the ball away from Duncan and outraced the Spurs down the court for a layup.

Then reserve forward Nick Collison reached for the rim and rejected Manu Ginobili's layup. And Ridnour slipped a pass between Spurs defenders and connected with Wilkins beneath the glass and along the baseline for a layup.

"We were right there and our aggressiveness stepped up, but then we just slowed down," said Ginobili, who started in place of Brent Barry in the second half. "Once they got confident, the crowd got crazy and so did they."

Said Reggie Evans: "This place got red-hot, like people weren't sure what to expect coming in because we didn't have Rashard, but then they started feeling like we could win at halftime."

The flickering hope of pulling off an upset turned into unbridled belief after Allen shook free of Ginobili and flushed a left-handed dunk over center Rasho Nesterovic that gave the Sonics a 68-59 lead with 3:17 remaining in the third quarter.

When Allen left the game with 2:26 remaining in the quarter and the Sonics leading 70-62, Seattle outscored San Antonio 12-4 for the remainder of the quarter and started the fourth with an 82-66 advantage.

During the spurt, Ridnour was sensational as he rebounded from poor outings in Games 1 and 2.

Ridnour played with verve — flipping a no-look, behind-the-back pass — and poise, converting 9 of 15 shots. He scored 15 of his playoff career-high 20 points in the third quarter and had six assists and three steals, while keeping Tony Parker to just 12 points.

"I just came out and had some good looks and was able to hit some layups and get going," said Ridnour, who in keeping with the bruised and battered theme received treatment after the game for a sore ankle. "The main thing is that I came out aggressive."

MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES Luke Ridnour, who scored 20, passes from his back with pressure from Brent Barry.

Rather than attempt a fourth-quarter comeback, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich benched Duncan with 8:27 remaining and San Antonio trailing 87-73. He pulled Ginobili and Parker a few minutes later. The quick substitutions appeared as if he was sending a message to his team.

The Spurs had a chance to deliver a decisive blow to the undermanned Sonics, but now the series shifts to San Antonio for tomorrow's Game 5. Game 6 is Thursday at KeyArena.

"It's a coach's nightmare usually when somebody sits out," Popovich said. "You worry about a team playing inspired basketball knowing that they are up against it. You worry about subconsciously letting down.

"You talk about it and that sort of thing, but sometimes it doesn't make any difference."

After a week and four games, the Sonics' matchup with San Antonio becomes a best-of-three series. The Spurs still hold home-court advantage.

As Evans left the court, holding a No. 7 Lewis jersey high over his head, he said anything can happen in a short series.

"Going there 2-2 is much better than being down 3-1," he said. "I'm not making any predictions, but who knows what can happen now."

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