Shortly after the Sonics arrived at the Bradley Center last night, Nate McMillan rounded up his weary players and issued a challenge.

The Sonics' coach instructed them to focus on their biggest weakness ? rebounding ? even if it meant altering their games. And McMillan demanded 48 minutes of defense.

Challenge accepted.

The Sonics stunned the Bucks 99-88 while meeting virtually all of McMillan's demands during one of his team's most impressive victories this season.

"I feel like it was our best game of the season," said McMillan, whose team improved to 22-20 after coming back from a 13-point deficit in the first half. "I really do because of what happened (Wednesday)."

Charlotte defeated Seattle 111-101 Wednesday after a spirited comeback failed to overcome a 27-point deficit. But the Sonics seemed unfazed by the difficult task of playing back-to-back games on the road.

"I challenged those guys to be more consistent in their effort," McMillan said. "I challenged these individuals to make adjustments to their game that's necessary for us to win. And they did."

Seattle held its own in rebounding (each team had 48) despite its thin frontcourt, which has the 6-foot-9 Art Long as the starting center.

No player responded like Brent Barry, who had been in a funk over the past few games. The 6-foot-6 Barry has been a very good rebounder for a guard, entering the game with an average of 5.5. But last night Barry focused even more on defensive rebounds to finish with a team-high 10.

"It's something I've been trying to do all year," Barry said.

As rugged as Barry was on the boards, he was smooth and sharp on offense. Whether it was Gary Payton penetrating or Milwaukee leaving Barry open to double-team another Sonic, Barry found himself open.

He swished long-range jump shots as easily as skipping rocks across nearby Lake Michigan.

"We made Brent Barry look like Rick Barry," Karl said, referring to Brent's father, who was one of the best shooters in NBA history.

On defense, Brent Barry helped make Ray Allen looked like a bricklayer. Allen will defend his title in the three-point shooting contest during the All-Star festivities. Last night, the Bucks' swingman missed 9 of 10 three attempts and 11 of 14 shots overall.

Desmond Mason grabbed nine rebounds in 29 minutes, deflating Milwaukee with four offensive rebounds. Payton (20 points, 11 assists, one turnover) controlled Seattle's tempo, willingly passing the ball to open teammates.

And Rashard Lewis, too often a spot-up shooter this season, expanded his game to score in the paint. He finished with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists.

"I thought those guys made some adjustments tonight," McMillan said. "But, as I told them, it's not for a night. This challenge is for the rest of the season."

Milwaukee is one of the most potent offensive teams in the NBA by utilizing a run-and-gun style. But Seattle's tough defense bucked the trend for one night.

During a stretch spanning the third quarter and fourth quarters, Milwaukee couldn't score for about seven minutes. The drought occurred largely because Seattle kept the Bucks off the offensive glass.

Before Tim Thomas made a free throw with 7:55 left, Seattle had gone on an 18-0 run to lead 85-75.

Vin Baker wasn't effective in the low post after spraining his left shoulder late in the first quarter. The injury ? which occurred when a Bucks player set a pick ? was so painful that Baker immediately asked to be removed. But the power forward returned in the third quarter, which gave a glimpse of Seattle's toughness in the hostile environment.

"It's the most pain I've felt in a game ever," said Baker, who will be X-rayed today, but expects to play tomorrow against the Pacers.

"We got the win, so hopefully it will make the pain will go away quicker."

Seattle's victory gave the club an opportunity to finish the four-game trip with a 3-1 record by winning tomorrow. At worst, Seattle will finish even on the trip after victories against two of the NBA's best, the 76ers and Bucks.

After last night, the Sonics didn't sound like one of the NBA's youngest teams. They're setting their sights high.

"We need to string more wins in a row," Payton said. "We can't win two and then lose a couple and then win one. We need to get some sort of streak going."