Heading into Sunday's contest against Minnesota, Seattle rookie Jeff Green's averaging 12.6 points and 7.8 rebounds in his last five games, up from his season average of 9.1 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Green said with veterans Wally Szczerbiak, Kurt Thomas and Delonte West gone, he believes he needs to contribute more on the floor and look for his shot more. "I put it upon myself to try and step up," Green said. "We lost some good scorers at the trade deadline, so I put some pressure on myself to try and step up and take the pressure off of Earl (Watson), Nick (Collison), Kevin (Durant) and those guys who have been there scoring throughout the whole season."
Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said the next step for Green is to consistently contribute at high level for long stretches of the season.
"I just think the more he's played, the more comfortable he's gotten," Carlesimo said. "He's getting more minutes. He's getting a few more touches. I think he's showing things more on a consistent basis, that's probably the biggest thing. He's played well at times, but he's also played like a rookie at times. Hope the more opportunity he gets the more consistent (he becomes)."
SONICS 111, WOLVES 108 (OT): Up by as many as 15 points, the Sonics were on the verge of giving this one away, but battled back Sunday in the final minute to push the game into overtime. Luke Ridnour hit a key three-pointer with 11.3 seconds left to bring the Sonics within a point. And after Corey Brew missed one of two free throws, Seattle broke the other way and Kevin Durant finished at the rim to tie the game at 102-all with 4.2 seconds left. Seattle veteran players Earl Watson, Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison, along with rookie Kevin Durant, helped seize control of the game for the Sonics in overtime.
