IT'S OVER --- Sonics lose 102-84.

MISMATCH --- The Supes aren't punishing the Clips when they match tiny Smush Parker on Durant and I don't know why. LA picked up a defensive three-second penalty, but for the most part the Sonics have yet to take advantage of that matchup.

BRAND HEATING UP --- He starting to pound the Sonics in the middle. He's got seven points and two rebounds so far in the quarter. LA has an 84-73 lead. The Clippers are running everything through the All-Star while the Sonics are shooting jumpers on the other end.

THIRD QUARTER --- Finally the defense arrived. Los Angeles scored 21 points in the third, which matched their total in the second, however, the Sonics held them to just 33.3 percent shooting. If Seattle has four players playing effectively, then the Clippers only have two (Maggette and Thornton) who each have 18 poitns. Powell is OK too. He has 8 points and 11 rebounds.

HALFTIME --- Good quarter for the Sonics who take a 50-48 lead into halftime. Seattle is basically working with four players (Durant, Green, Watson and Collison). Oh and Ridnour is balling. He has five assists. Petro has seven rebounds, but he's done little else.

GQ or SOMETHING ELSE--- Mobley is considered by many to be one of the best dressed players in the NBA. Heck, he's probably one of the best dressed athletes period. Tonight he's wearing a natty suit, but he's left the four buttons of his dress shirt unbuttoned. I dare say it's a little reminiscent of the '70s.But what do I know. Several ladies sitting courtside would argue otherwise.

FIRST QUARTER --- The Sonics have improved their shooting (it's up to 35 percent), but they have yet to slow down the Clippers who lead 27-22. It's the same old story. The defense looks like swiss cheese. LA is shooting 60 percent.

WILLIAMS ENTERS --- He stepped in with a minute remaining in the first period.

BRAND NEW --- Elton Brand made has made his season debut. He suffered a left Achilles tendon injury before the season. Brand looks pretty good for someone who hasn't played an NBA game in about a year. He's 1 for 4 from the fiedl and has two rebounds in four minutes.

SLOW START --- The Sonics have completed 1 of 8 field goals (12.5 percent) while the Clippers are 5 for 7 (71.4 percent) and leading 11-3. Carlesimo called the first timeout in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

MARSHALL SIDELINED? --- Donyell Marshall had X-rays for a knee injury and may not play tonight. Coach P.J. Carlesimo said the exam did not reveal any serious damage.

EMPTY HOUSE --- It's about 10 minutes before tipoff and I'm guesisng there's maybe 1,000 people here. There's so many factors working against the Sonics these days. For starters, the Mariners are playing across town and the Clippers have a 22-52 record.

WILLIAMS HOMECOMING --- Clippers G Marcus Williams will make his pro debut in front of his hometown fans. He purchased 27 tickets for tonight's game. Williams has had an adventerous rookie season. He was drafted in the second round by the San Antonio Spurs, spent much of the season in the D-League in Austin, TX and was signed by Los Angeles on March 28. He's played in just three games this season.

STARTING LINEUPS

LA CLIPPERS
F -- Al Thornton
F -- Corey Maggette
C -- Josh Powell
G -- Quentin Ross
G -- Brevin Knight

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

Officials: Ken Mauer, Olandis Poole and Michael Smith.

PRE-GAME NOTES --- Kevin Durant shared a few minutes on the sidelines during warmups with Clippers F Al Thornton. They'

The Clippers are shorthanded tonight. C Chris Kaman (sprained right ankle) and Cuttino Mobley (sore left heel) will not play because of injuries.