SEATTLE, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Gary Payton had 27 points and 10 assists Wednesday night as the Seattle SuperSonics defeated the Sacramento Kings, 104-92, for yet another win over a quality opponent.
The Sonics are 12-15 overall. But they have beaten San Antonio, Dallas, Minnesota, Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Kings, who have a combined record of 102-38.
Those teams are among the top seven in the league and Seattle has been able to handle them. But the Sonics have had trouble with the teams at the other end of the standings.
They have lost to the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver and twice to Miami, displaying the inconsistency that has prevented them from putting together a long winning streak.
In this one, Seattle took the lead for good late in the opening quarter and took control in the third period, when Payton fueled a 24-11 run that opened a 78-63 lead.
Doug Christie scored a season-high 23 points for the Kings, who were without injured All-Star forward Chris Webber and appeared to miss him for the first time this season. Sacramento has lost three straight road games.
