THIRD QUARTER --- Sacramento ends the quarter with an 11-0 run to take control of the game and a 94-83 lead. The Sonics countered with an awkward lineup of Durant and four reserves including Luke Ridnour, Donyell Marshall, Wilkins and Francisco Elson. The squad basically looked at Ridnour to create and once he found the middle clogged, the kicked it out to Durant who hurried some long shots with the clock winding down. Meanwhile, Artest hammered them in the middle.

COLLISON STRUGGLING --- He's played 14 minutes and seems to be laboring against the length that the Kings have. Collison has just two poitns and two rebounds.

HALFTIME --- Sonics still lead. They're up 65-62. The rookies (Green and Durant) are leading the way and each has 15 points. The supporting cast of Watson (9 points and 7 assists), Wilkins (9 points) and Petro (8 points and 5 rebounds) aren't bad either.

FIRST QUARTER --- The Sonics shot 63.6 percent from the field and lead 39-34. The Kings have provided little resistance and Durant (10 points), Green (8 points) and Petro (8 points) are the beneficiaries. Green is 2 for 3 behind the arc against Artest, which is a good matchup for him.

COACHING POINTS --- Kings coach Reggie Theus and screaming at his guys to get back on defense. "They're going to be running up our backs all night," he said. The Sonics don't have any fast break points, but they're taking advantage of the Kings' weak transition defense and getting open looks early in the shot clock.

STARTING LINEUPS

SACRAMENTO
F -- Ron Artest
F -- Mikki Moore
C -- Brad Miller
G -- Kevin Martin
G -- Anthony Johnson

SONICS
F -- Jeff Green
F -- Nick Collison
C -- Johan Petro
G -- Kevin Durant
G -- Earl Watson

Officials: Dan Crawford, Rodney Mott, Tommy Nunez, Jr.

PRE-GAME NOTES --- P.J. Carlesimo said Earl Watson is not 100 percent healthy because of a finger and calf injury. Despite the injuries, Watson will remain in the starting lineup.

Carlesimo also acknowledged that Johan Petro's play has dipped lately. What's most telling is Petro is picking up fouls very quickly. He's been limited in the past two games to 20 and 18 minutes respectively because he was in foul trouble.

Also, spoke with Damien Wilkins who has put up steady numbers now Mickael Gelabale is out for the season and he's getting minutes again. Wilkins has scored in double figures in each of the past five games.

Sacramento Kings center Spencer Hawes stopped by the Sonics locker room to say hello to his friend Kevin Durant. Hawes, the former Seattle Prep and UW standout, has a spraned left ankle and will not play tonight.