http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2002605448_soni05.html Guard Ray Allen continues to carry the weight of the Sonics on his shoulders, lifting them to the place where players chest bump each other and an arena full of 17,072 giddy fans squeal with delight. Needing a shot, needing a win, Allen delivered both by scoring 11 of the Sonics' 13 points in overtime to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-102 Friday night at KeyArena. Allen's late heroics and 32 points helped Seattle earn Bob Weiss his first victory as Sonics head coach. "There's no better moment in sports than to be in an overtime situation," Allen said. "When the score is tied and you're at home, there's no better feeling." After missing an off-balance shot to send the game into overtime tied at 94, Allen started the extra period by making a 20-foot jump shot. He went on to make two three-pointers and a free throw to put the Sonics ahead 103-98. And unlike the fourth quarter, where the Sonics let an eight-point lead slip away in the final 6:39, the Sonics played solid defense to seal the win. Allen leaped high to thump chests with fellow co-captain Rashard Lewis after sinking his final three-pointer of the night with 1:30 left. Forwards Lewis and Nick Collison grabbed critical defensive rebounds in the closing minute to keep the Timberwolves (1-1) from challenging. But while the Sonics (1-1) were happy about the win, problems remain. Allen and Lewis, who scored 19, are still the only players producing any consistent offense for the Sonics. Collison and guard Luke Ridnour were the team's next-highest scorers with 10 points apiece. In overtime, Allen was really the only player attempting shots. Sonics center Vitaly Potapenko and Ridnour touched the ball, but Potapenko's failed attempt was off a rebound putback while Ridnour missed a short jump shot early in the extra period. The Sonics did have a team effort in rebounding and hustle plays to hang close with the Timberwolves until the offense clicked. Collison and Danny Fortson were particularly impressive inside. Playing against forward Kevin Garnett, the NBA's 2004 Most Valuable Player, and center Michael Olowokandi, the Sonics duo helped outscore Minnesota 50-32 in the paint. "They kept coming back at them," Weiss said of his team, which found a way to win despite 21 turnovers. "I saw great camaraderie from the team. Our bench was standing up again. They were really getting into it. "We won against a good team and we're still not playing good basketball. We should have 10 less turnovers. I wish we hit more threes. All of that is going to come." Fortson's turnaround came after leaving KeyArena on Wednesday disgusted with himself. He committed five fouls in eight five minutes in that game without contributing anything else. Friday night was a different story, however. With the Sonics trailing 78-75 in the fourth quarter, the 6-foot-8 Fortson made two free throws and a reverse layin off a feed from Collison to give the Sonics the lead. Garnett finished with 23 points on 9-for-16 shooting and Olowokandi had 11 points and 10 rebounds. "He's an All-Star," Fortson said of Garnett. "He's one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Basically, if he misses a shot, luck is on your side. "He can shoot over the top of us, so he probably wasn't feeling it tonight and I'm glad he wasn't." Poor shot selection cost the Sonics the opportunity to take control of the game early. The Sonics were 2 for 22 from three-point range in regulation. The Sonics were 0 for 11 from the three-point line in the opening half, rushing their shots instead of passing the ball and cutting to the hoop. The Sonics leave Sunday for their longest road trip of the season, six games in 10 days. The early departure is to adjust to the time change in Memphis, the first stop. Friday night's victory should make that adjustment a little easier. --

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