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Charlotte came into Seattle looking to snap a six-game road losing skid but couldn't find an answer for Sonics forward Rashard Lewis and guard Ray Allen as Seattle handed the Bobcats a 104-94 loss. Lewis and Allen combined to score 59 of the Sonics 104 points.

The Bobcats won the opening tip and scored the first basket, but it was the Sonics who came out on fire, connecting on their first six shots and quickly building a nine-point advantage. Seattle's offense continued to fire on all cylinders through much of the first quarter as they finished the period shooting 68.4 percent (13-19) from the floor.

Charlotte center Primoz Brezec did his part, however, to make sure the Sonics did not run away with the game. After two impressive double-figure outings, Brezec came out and posted 10 points for the Bobcats in the first quarter. His play helped trim the Sonics lead to four on several occasions before a jumper by Lewis as time expired gave the Sonics a six-point advantage at the end of one.

A hook shot by Melvin Ely to start the second quarter again cut the lead to four, but six quick points from the Sonics helped push their advantage to double-digits. With Seattle holding a 48-38 advantage with 4:29 left in the half, the Bobcats went on a 6-0 run to again reduce the deficit to four. It seemed whenever Charlotte was able to get close, the Sonics had an answer, as they proceeded to reel off six consecutive points of their own to push the lead back to 10. Lewis paced the Sonics, finishing with 19 points in the stanza.

Turnovers plagued the Bobcats throughout the second quarter as they committed seven miscues in the period compared to just two by the Sonics. It was the start of a trend that would continue throughout the remainder of the game, as Charlotte finished the contest with 19 turnovers compared to just 11 by the Sonics.

As the third quarter got underway, Allen connected on a three-point play to push the lead to 13, but the Bobcats rallied, going on a 10-0 run capped by jump shot from Gerald Wallace to pull within three with 9:11 left in the period. A three-point deficit was as close as Charlotte could get however, as the Sonics exploded for nine straight points to push the lead to 12.

The Sonics continued to build on their advantage, extending it to 18 early in the fourth quarter. Free throws helped Charlotte chip away at the lead, as they cut it to a nine-point margin with 4:41 left in the game. The Bobcats needed a defensive stop, but Allen denied them the opportunity, connecting on a difficult three-point fadeway to push the Sonics lead back to double-digits. It was too much for the Bobcats to overcome as the Sonics snapped a three-game losing skid with the win. With the loss, the Bobcats drop to 5-11 on the season.

Brezec finished with a season-high 21 points while Rush added 20 for the Bobcats. Charlotte also had two players post double-doubles with Emeka Okafor recording 10 points and 13 rebounds while Brevin Knight tallied 18 points and 11 assists.

Allen led all scorers with 32 points, 20 of which came in the second half, while Lewis finished with a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bobcats return to action on Friday as they travel to Golden State to face the Warriors at 10:30 p.m.

NOTES: Bobcats center Jake Voskuhl left the game at the 8:54 mark of the second quarter with a right ankle sprain...He is expected to be out for the next 10 days...With his double-double in the game, Emeka Okafor now has 11 double-doubles on the season...This is Brevin Knight's second double-double of the year...Kareem Rush connected on a three-point shot in the game against Seattle and has now recorded at least one three-pointer in the last 11 games...The Sonics bench outscored the Bobcats bench 20-9...Seattle outscored Charlotte in points in the paint 42-34 and in fast break points 22-15.

INSIDE THE LOCKERROOM
General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff
(On the game) They shot the ball well. I think they might have started the game 8 for 8 or something like that to start the basketball game and some of those shots were contested. It gets down to the fact that we turned the ball over and we got 13 points off the bench. I keep searching and searching to try to find some way to solidify what’s coming off the bench. In back to back games when guys play 40 minutes and 37 minutes that’s an awful lot.

(On Seattle and Ray Allen) Seattle played awfully well. They shot the ball well and they did exactly what they are supposed to do when you are sitting over here waiting for a team to come in. Their tempo was up and every mistake we made, they made us pay for it. The one shot that Ray Allen made…Emeka was on him and they always tell you about squaring away and getting your shoulders square but if you can shoot it, you can shoot it. He was up in the stands with his body and knocked it down. We had some straight away and they wouldn’t go. (On he wanted to do in this game) We wanted to disrupt the game because we got in the bonus early. We wanted to take points off the margin while the clock was stopped. We did a pretty good job of disrupting the game. I have no gripe at all with the effort of the basketball team. Coming off the back to back game they left it out on the court so I have no gripes whatsoever.

(On what he does to prepare for Ray Allen) Well, there was a prayer meeting. You don’t stop him, you try to contain the guy and make him take difficult shots. He can get it off so quick, he just flicks his wrist. For the most part we were contesting it but he’s a great shooter. What you try to do is keep him under control.

Bobcats Guard Brevin Knight
(On the game) We played with a lot more energy tonight. The effort was there. I think they made key runs. Every time we fought back they seemed to make a big shot and then we didn’t make a shot. Sometimes those things happen in the game. Like Bernie said, we are a lot happier with our effort.

(On Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis) They are great players. The one that broke our back was the three-pointer with the clock running down and two guys on him. He is fading away towards out of bounds and he makes that three. I think that keeps them in a double- digit lead. That’s what all stars do and they came out, played like all stars and led their team.