SONICS WIN: It was delayed because of a Dallas timeout and defensive foul at the end of the game, but the Sonics won 99-95 and are playing Flashlight, performed by Parliament. The Supes held the Mavs scoreless for the final 3:14, scoring the games final 10 points.

CROWD CONTROL: The Key is going nuts after a KD layin pulled the Supes ahead 98-95 with 14.3 seconds remaining. A fleet of cops are lining the court, looking for any disruption after the game. There's also undercover security everywhere.

FIGHTING HARD: Watson es en fuego esta noche. He grabbed a rebound, gained possession on a jump ball, and called for a timeout, and setup Petro for a jumper to in time for Seattle to preserve its comeback. The Supes just pulled ahead 96-95 with 41.6 remaining in the game.

TIE GAME: Nowitzki just hot a three-pointer to tie the score at 84 points apiece. The vibe in the building is dying down a bit, although plenty of whacky fans are dancing in their seats in hopes of winning an X-Box. One woman almost went topless. She didn't win.

OTHER FACES: NBA usually brings out the stars and even though in Seattle those are often B-rated, the Supes filled the house with basketball legends for the season finale. In addition to GP, Sheyl Swoopes, Slick Watts, Fred Brown, and James Donaldson were also spotted in the crowd.

SONICS CLOSE: The Sonics outscored the Mavs 31-26, capped by a Collison dunk off a Green feed, to make the score 51-50 Dallas at the half. Watson is leading with 15 points and six assists while JT (16), Nowitzki (11), and Josh Howard (11) and the hot scorers for the Mavs.

CARLESIMO TECH: Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo was called for a tech with 1:28 remaining in the second quarter for arguing with the officials. Nowitzki missed the FT. The Sonics rallied to lead 48-47. This is Carlesimo's third tech of the season, costing him $1,000.

GP YOU WITH ME?: Sonics legend Gary Payton is in the house, getting a standing ovation from the south end of the arena as he walked to seats with 10:34 remaining in the second quarter. He got another ovation when formally introduced during a timeout with 8:34 remaining. Fans remained on their seats and chanted "Gary! Gary! Gary!" so long that the jumbotron had to show him again. The Mavs playfully gave GP a thumbs down and snickered.

Here are tonight's starters

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

Mavericks
F Josh Howard
F Dirk Nowitzki
C Erick Dampier
G Jason Terry
G Jason Kidd

Tonight's officials are Joe DeRosa, Eric Lewis, and Rodney Mott.