Originally published Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 12:00 AM

Game 5 capsule preview, lineups; series schedule

Bottom line: The last time the Sonics were tied 2-2 in a best-of-seven series was in the 1993 Western Conference semifinals against Houston...

Sonics at San Antonio
6:30 tonight at SBC Center

TV/Radio: TNT/KJR (950 AM)

Records: Series tied at 2-2

Ticket update: Tickets for Thursday's Game 6 at KeyArena are sold out.

Game 5 adjustments

Here are a few moves and countermoves that will likely have an impact on tonight's game:

What went wrong for the Spurs? Seattle's three-guard lineup pushed the pace, forced 23 turnovers, picked 11 steals and negated centers Nazr Mohammed and Rasho Nesterovic, who combined to score two points and collect six rebounds.

What can they do? Spurs coach Gregg Popovich doesn't put up with defensive lapses for very long, so if the starters are making mistakes, expect to see a little bit more of reserve guard Devin Brown, who missed the final 13 games of the regular season with a back injury. Brown, when healthy, can slow down Ray Allen and Antonio Daniels.

What went wrong for the Spurs? Popovich said it best when he praised Tim Duncan, who had 35 points and 10 rebounds in Game 4, while admonishing the rest of the team, which contributed just 54 points.

What can they do? A change in the starting lineup is possible. In their first-round series, Popovich swapped out All-Star guard Manu Ginobili and replaced him with Brent Barry. The switch worked against Denver but appears inconsequential against Seattle. Barry has failed to give the Spurs the three-point threat they believed they acquired in the offseason for $20 million. He managed just nine points on 3-for-9 shooting in the games in Seattle.

What went wrong for the Spurs? Jerome James tormented them in Game 3 on pick-and-roll plays and finished with six dunks and 15 points. San Antonio adjusted and held him to just four points in Game 4, but the tinkering didn't account for Luke Ridnour, who rediscovered a shot that had been missing in the series. The Sonics' point guard drained an array of running jumpers and long-distance shots for a playoff career-high 20 points.

What can they do? Popovich used to not give Tony Parker much freedom, but over the past two seasons, he has relaxed the reins. Time for him to administer one of his tongue-lashings. Parker is too good to have back-to-back subpar games, and in Game 4 he appeared unenthusiastic and disinterested. Popovich might also consider spending more time at practice. Between Games 3 and 4, he gave the team a day off on Friday, while the Sonics worked out both days.

Bottom line: The last time the Sonics were tied 2-2 in a best-of-seven series was in the 1993 Western Conference semifinals against Houston, and they won 4-3. ... San Antonio is 4-2 in Game 5s with Tim Duncan; however, they've lost the past two.

Injuries: Sonics — G Rashard Lewis (sprained left big toe) is questionable. Reserve F Vladimir Radmanovic (sprained right ankle) is out. Spurs — None.

Percy Allen

Game 5 lineups


P	Sonics	HT	PPG	R/A
F	Reggie Evans	6-3	3.7	7.3 R
F	Antonio Daniels	6-6	12.6	4.8 A
C	Jerome James	7-1	13.0	7.2 R
G	Ray Allen	6-5	27.4	4.3 R
G	Luke Ridnour	6-2	9.4	4.6 A