Sonics pull even with Spurs

SEATTLE -- The Seattle SuperSonics pulled off another surprise, this time without any help from All-Star Rashard Lewis.

Ray Allen scored 32 points and Luke Ridnour had 15 of his 20 points in the third quarter, hitting all seven of his field goals in the period, as Seattle defeated San Antonio 101-89 Sunday to tie their second-round series 2-2.

Lewis was unable to run Sunday because of a sprained toe on his left foot. He was hurt in Game 3 and, after missing two days of practice, watched in street clothes on the bench.

The Sonics, who shocked nearly everyone by winning 52 games and the Northwest Division title, seemed inspired without him. Antonio Daniels scored 19, while reserve forward Damien Wilkins had 15 points and six rebounds. After the horn, Reggie Evans held Lewis' No. 7 jersey aloft for a celebration at midcourt.

Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 35 points, Manu Ginobili had 15 and Tony Parker 12. But they spent most of the final period on the sideline, resting for Game 5 on Tuesday night in San Antonio.

Without Lewis, the other Sonics raised their game.

Seattle came out focused, jumping out with a 12-4 run and putting up 28 first-quarter points. The Sonics had their defense going, too, logging four blocked shots and forcing the Spurs into seven turnovers in the first period.

Allen, moved to the small forward position that Lewis normally handles, shot 10-of-16 from the floor. He scored 17 points as the Sonics led 46-40 at the break. Daniels scored 11, hitting a jumper just before the horn.

Ridnour skittered around the floor, dribbling around defenders before he flipped in jumpers and indefensible runners. Wilkins provide a nice lift off the bench, crashing for rebounds and driving fearlessly on Duncan.

The Sonics broke from a 54-54 tie with a 12-1 run midway through the third quarter, with Allen scoring seven and Ridnour four in the burst.

It was 82-66 after three periods after Ridnour made a jumper, a 3-pointer and flipped in a runner. Seattle kept the momentum going, with Wilkins soaring for a bucket and Allen getting two jumpers opening the fourth to make it 87-67.

Much of the focus coming into Game 4 was on how San Antonio would defend a pick-and-roll that helped Seattle's Jerome James to a 7-for-7 shooting effort in Game 3. It wasn't a factor this time, since the Sonics played small-ball without Lewis.

Duncan scored eight of San Antonio's first 12 points in the second half, helping the Spurs erase a 46-40 halftime deficit. He drew two fouls on James in the first 1:40, and tied it at 52 on a dunk with 8:24 to go in the third period.

Then Ridnour got rolling.

The second-year point guard was spectacular as he dished to Allen, drove on Duncan and flipped in basket after basket. Seattle outscored San Antonio 36-26 in the third quarter, rendering the fourth period garbage time.

Notes: Allen and Bruce Bowen drew double technicals for a pushing match during a dead ball early in the second half. It kept going, and Allen was called for an offensive foul seconds later. ... After his 15-point effort in Game 3, James scored two points and missed all five of his field goal attempts. ... Rasho Nestorovic was whistled for a technical foul early in the fourth. ... University of Washington coach Lorenzo Romar was in the crowd, receiving a big cheer when he was introduced. .. Also in attendance: Bill Russell, Lenny Wilkins, Rick Barry and Detlef Schrempf.