With Vin Baker out indefinitely, the smallish Sonics will rely on a free-flowing offense of ball movement and fast-break opportunities. Seattle's unsung players must increase their production for a shot at the playoffs.

Rashard Lewis is supposed to be crucial in the equation. But the small forward's ejection in the third quarter turned Seattle's makeshift lineup into tatters. That didn't prevent the Sonics from picking themselves up for a hard-fought 99-79 victory last night over the Celtics at KeyArena.


Gary Payton (19 points, seven rebounds) darted down the lane for the final score with 40 seconds left as the crowd applauded. It was Payton's only shot in the fourth quarter, in which Seattle outscored Boston 27-15.

Without Baker's low-post scoring, the onus appeared to fall on Payton. But obscure teammates like Predrag Drobnjak, Jerome James and Art Long had their sharpest performances of the season.

"I felt like a ball hog. I haven't taken that many (shots) since college," said Desmond Mason, who made 7 of 17 shots for 15 points and had six rebounds.

For Drobnjak, once considered the best center in Europe, the transition to the NBA has been rough. At age 27, the Yugoslavian has been treated like a prep who just bolted to the NBA.

"It's been hard for him, when people treat you like you're a rookie," said Vladimir Radmanovic, Drobnjak's best friend. "He was known as a great player in Europe.

"With Baker hurt, some of us have an opportunity to play more, and help the team. (Drobnjak) proved that he can be a great player. I'm happy for him."

Early in the fourth quarter, Drobnjak used his left hand to flick away a pass to a Celtic in the post. Then Drobnjak rumbled up the court with an almost pained gait. He received a pass back from Earl Watson and made a one-pancake-off-the-floor layin while getting fouled to give Seattle an 80-67 lead.

Numerous plays like that helped the Sonics.

But Lewis didn't survive the curse of the bobblehead doll, which strangely has resulted in a litany of misfortune in the NBA. (Former Nuggets Coach Dan Issel used an ethnic remark while cursing a spectator at the Pepsi Center on his night. And several players, including Miami's Brian Grant and Phoenix's Stephon Marbury, had their worst performances of the season on theirs.)

Midway through the third quarter, Seattle was on yet another fast break when Lewis was apparently fouled on a missed layup. Instead of hustling back on defense, Lewis jogged up to referee Ron Olesiak and screamed: "Call the (bleeping) foul, (bleep)!"

Olesiak gave Lewis two technicals for the ejection.

Long, the 6-foot-9 center who hadn't played in the previous three games, needed only 12 minutes for six points and five rebounds.

"I told him he was player of the game," Coach Nate McMillan said. "Being ready to play when his name was called. He stepped in in the fourth quarter and played probably the best 12 minutes of just about anybody."

James has been plagued by injuries throughout the season. And when the 7-1 center is healthy, silly fouls have limited his minutes. But James provided Seattle what been missing all season: rebounding (nine) and defense (four blocks) from the frontcourt.

James helped the Sonics improve to 26-25, 8-3 without Baker.

Boston provided plenty of fast-break opportunities by missing 21 of 33 three-pointers.


And in the half-court set, the Sonics smartly moved the ball around the perimeter to find the open shooter.

Without Baker, it didn't matter if that player was named Drobnjak or Mason.