Player of the game: Portland's Dale Davis, a veteran center not known for his point production, Davis had 20 points and 14 rebounds and caused problems defensively. He made 9 of 10 shots, several on follow-up dunks.
Top reserve: The Sonics' Desmond Mason, who scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds in slashing fashion.
Keys to the game: Portland's Derek Anderson and Bonzi Wells picked up on offense (a combined 29 points) for Scottie Pippen, who was ejected in the second quarter. Anderson hit two key jump shots, one a three-pointer, in the final 2:27. The Blazers took advantage inside after Sonics forward Vin Baker aggravated a shoulder injury that knocked him out of the game in the third quarter.
Next: Tomorrow, 7 p.m., vs. Sacramento at KeyArena. Seattle Coach Nate McMillan says watching Shawn Kemp the Portland Trail Blazer and remembering Shawn Kemp the explosive Sonics power forward is tough.
"It was fun, because he was an entertainer," McMillan said of Kemp's days in Seattle, when they were teammates. "It was so much easier, when you had a point guard like myself, who loved to push the ball, and then you had a big man like Shawn ... who loved to dunk. It's sad to see.
"I've always said that once Shawn lost his jumping, his legs, he would have a tough time, simply because everything was about power. I didn't think he would lose his legs due to weight, but once that was gone ... Now he's out on the perimeter trying to do up-and-under (moves), but it's sad because he's still young. That's the part that's disappointing, to see him like this."
Kemp came into the game in the first quarter to a mix of boos, applause and derisive catcalls.
Payton's an All-Star
The Sonics' Gary Payton was named to the NBA's Western Conference All-Star squad as a reserve, the league announced yesterday. Payton, a guard averaging 22.9 points and 9.2 assists per game before last night, made the team for the eighth time in his career.
Notes
? Former Sonic Ruben Patterson, making his first return to Seattle in a Portland uniform, drew brief cheers when he entered the game to start the second quarter.
? Two changes for the Sonics-Raptors game in Toronto on Sunday, Feb. 24: Game time has been changed to 3 p.m., and it will be broadcast on Channel 5 in Seattle.
? Marques Tuiasosopo, the Woodinville native and UW Rose Bowl star who is now a quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, sat courtside last night with Megan Franza, former UW women's basketball player.