Sonics Beat Cavs, Give New Coach First Win

Team	1	2	3	4					Full Time
Supersonics	24	28	28	16					96
Cavaliers	26	21	19	24					90

Seattle 96, Cleveland 90

CLEVELAND, Oct. 12 (AP) -- P.J. Carlesimo earned his first win as SuperSonics' coach, 96-90 over the Cleveland Cavaliers in an exhibition game Friday night.

Cavs All-Star forward LeBron James was forced out of action in the third quarter because of a right shoulder contusion. The injury doesn't appear to be serious. He had 14 points for the Cavs.

Forward Chris Wilcox led all scorers with 20 points and eight rebounds for Seattle.

Guard Kevin Durant, a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors, had 15 points and seven rebounds. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 draft was just 5-of-22 from the field.

Guard Wally Szczerbiak, acquired from Boston in the Ray Allen trade last June, added 14 points.

The Cavaliers left on a 16-hour trip to China after Friday's game. They will play two preseason games there against Orlando next week.

Guard Shannon Brownpaced the Cavs with 19 points, while forward Ira Newble added 13. Backup center Dwayne Jones, trying to earn a spot on the roster, had 10 rebounds for Cleveland.

The Sonics took control of the game by outscoring the Cavs 28-19 in the third quarter. They also outrebounded the Cavaliers 15-8 in the quarter.

Seattle was playing without point guards Luke Ridnour(non-displaced fracture of nasal bone) and Delonte West(lower back strain).

The Sonics led 52-47 at halftime, as Wilcox had 12 points and Szczerbiak added 11.

Before the game, the Cavs waived guard Chet Mason, which reduced their roster to 17 players.

source : NBA.com