??????????????????????????????? Seattle SuperSonics swingman Kevin Durant drives to the basket as Seattle head coach P.J. Carlesimo, right, watches from the sideline against the Toronto Raptors during the first quarter of their game, played Friday night. Durant scored 27 points, leading Seattle to the win over Toronto, 123-115.

Seattle SuperSonics swingman Kevin Durant is without a doubt, a player on the rise.? Friday night was a good example as he did a little bit of everything - a Mr. Everyman, so to speak.? His overall play sparked the Sonics to an impressive win over the Toronto Raptors 123-115 at Seattle.

Both teams shot well, Seattle especially so - Toronto shot 49.5% while Seattle shot a blistering 56%, including 59% from behind the 3-point arc and only missed 2 free throws (19-of-21).? With both teams shooting well in the first half, Toronto held a 62-56 lead at halftime.? The highlight of the game was when Durant took a pass from guard Earl Watson and powered through Toronto center Rasho Nesterovic for a powerful dunk, giving Nesterovic a “facial” -?basketball lingo for a dunk that strikes your head or face.? The difference being is that this facial wasn’t good for Nesterovic’s skin.

As a result of that dunk, a 3-point play occurred which got Seattle to within 70-67, but Seattle’s Chris Wilcox made a dunk that ignited a Sonics’ 21-9 run to end the 3rd quarter.? Durant would drain a 3 and Wally Szczerbiak capped the quarter with his third 3-pointer of the game to give Seattle a 92-83 lead.? Seattle would take its biggest lead at 116-98 on Durant’s fourth trey with 4:09 left in the game; this lead would hold up for the Sonics.

Seattle had 7 players in double-digits, led by Durant with 27 - including 4 treys.??? Szczerbiak added 23 with 4 three-pointers of his own; Wilcox added 16 on perfect shooting from the field (7-of-7), while 4 Sonics - Watson, Nick Collison, Luke Ridenour and Jeff Green scored 10 points apiece.? Toronto had 6 in double-digits, led by Chris Bosh with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Anthony Parker scored 18; reserve Jason Kapono added 16 - including 4 treys.? Jose Calderon and Carlos Delfino both scored 15 in supporting roles, with Calderon dishing out 16 assists.

Seattle (8-19) travels south down Interstate 5 to take on the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night, while Toronto (15-13)?flies to Phoenix to take on the Suns Saturday night.


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