24 -- Number of turnovers in a game for Seattle

34 -- Sacramento points off Seattle turnovers

32 -- Points scored by Wally Szczerbiak

6 -- Points scored by Szczerbiak in the fourth quarter

27 -- fastbreak points by Seattle

20 -- Points Seattle led by in the first half.

This was pretty much a game Seattle had in the bag, but couldn't hang onto. Again, Seattle struggled to close it out. With Kevin Durant, Damien Wilkins and Chris Wilcox all missing shot late that would have kept Seattle in it.

There were good things that happened. Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo liked his team's execution late in the game in the half-court set.

And Seattle was more aggressive on both the offensive and defensive ends.

But it's all about getting W's, and Seattle did not do that tonight.

I thought it was curious that Wally Szczerbiak didn't get more opportunities to shoot late in the game, particularly with the way he was shooting it.

Szczerbiak only had four shots in the fourth quarter.

Here's what he had to say.

“I’m not a bashful guy,” Szczerbiak said about getting only four shots in the fourth quarter. “I’ll start running toward the ball if I feel like I want it. But I got looked off a couple times. We got good shots down the stretch. It’s just one of those things. Shots didn’t fall.
“I think we executed our offense well, which is a start. We had a few too many turnovers down the stretch, which gave them easy buckets. And they made some plays. So we just have to back to the drawing board.
“But I did have a hot hand going, so it would have been nice (to get some touches).”

Listen to more Szczerbiak here.

Carlesimo said they tried to get it to Szczerbiak, but had trouble setting up plays for him because Szczerbiak was playing power forward, which he doesn't do that much.

Listen to the Conversation with Carlesimo here.

Seattle also not getting to the foul line. Seattle's opponents are taking a little over 10 more free throws a game than the Sonics.

Bottom line, until Seattle's stops turning the ball over 20 times a game and figures out a way to execute and get to the line down the stretch, it's going to be a long season.

Seattle has turned the ball over 24 times and amazingly still leads 78-72 at the end of the third.

Sacramento fought back and took a 72-69 lead at one point, but Seattle retook the lead before the end of the quarter.

Seattle is shooting the ball well (53.4 percent), and if they can limit their turnovers they could pick up their first win. That's a big if however.

Wally Szczerbiak pretty much put the Sonics on his back and carried them during the second quarter.

He scored 18 points in the second quarter -- 10 straight at one point -- hitting jumpers from all spots on the floor.

Seattle led by as many as 20 points, but after three straight turnovers late in the first half Seattle let the Kings back into it.

P.J. Carlesimo called a timeout with 40 seconds left and exploded on the team, dressing them down because of the turnovers.

Seattle's finished the half ahead 61-48, but should be up by more.

The Sonics actually have an advantage in experience against the Kings, with Ron Artest and Mike Bibby out.

But Seattle still turned the ball over 14 times in the first half, which resulted in 18 points for Sacramento.

However, Seattle is shooting 63.2 percent from the field, including 6-of-9 from the 3-point arc.

A pretty scrappy first quarter for both teams, as the Kings and the Sonics look like two teams who do not have a win this year, and want desperately to get one tonight.

Sacrament leads 26-25 behind 10 points from Kevin Martin. Execution still poor. Five turnover already, against a bad team. Martin is a nice player. He’s got a funky jumper. He kind flings it up there, but it goes in with regularity.

But I think Kevin Durant is the best player on the court right now, and hopefully he realizes it. Durant has seven points, leading the Sonics in scoring.

Luke Ridnour came in midway through the first quarter and has played solid. Ridnour has four points, on two mid-range jumpers, and an assist.

Kevin Calabro wore shades for his opening game with Marques Johnson. One of the referees came over and said he thought he was in L.A. and Calabro was Jack Nicholson.

A few things before tipoff.

Robert Swift will get his first start of the year. Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said he wants to get Swift in the game early while he's still loose.

Nick Collison will still see about the same minutes tonight, and will probably sub in early in the first quarter.

Delonte West also will get more run at the shooting guard spot tonight, which means Luke Ridnour will backup Earl Watson at point guard.

I think Carlesimo likes West at the shooting guard more, particularly if he shooting guard matchup isn't as physical.

Kurt Thomas will have an MRI on his strained right hamstring and is not available tonight.

Listen to the full conversation with Carlesimo here.

Sacramento's Spencer Hawes, a University of Washington product, is close to being able to get back on the floor. The No. 10 overall pick, Hawes had minor knee surgery in October and should practice for Sacramento tomorrow.

We cruise around the Northwest Division this morning, where Denver sits atop the standings with a 2-1 record. For a closer look at the Northwest Division, click here.

But first some updates on the Sonics opponent tonight, Sacramento

Sacramento (0-3): Check out this preview of tonight’s game against Sacramento from the Sacramento Bee And here’s my story from today on Seattle’s turnover woes.

Also from The Bee, another story on guard Mike Bibby, who has torn ligaments in his thumb and will have to sit the first 10 weeks of the season. Seattle Prep High and University of Washington product Spencer Hawes, who had arthroscopic knee surgery in October, says he’s ready to play.

Portland (0-3): Looks like Steve Blake has usurped Jarrett Jack as the starting point guard for the Blazers. And Channing Frye might also find his way into the starting lineup as coach Nate McMillan makes some changes after his team’s poor start.

Denver (2-1): The Nuggets return to the scene of the crime tonight at Madison Square Garden, taking on the Knicks for the first time since the Dec. 16 brawl between the two teams.

Utah (2-2): An assessment of the Jazz after the team’s .500 start.

Minnesota (0-2): Two old rivals square off in the T-Wolves’ Al Jefferson and Orlando’s Dwight Howard as Minnesota hosts Orlando tonight. Minnesota laments it’s free-throw disparity in a loss against the Knicks.

To close it out we take a trip down memory lane. It’s the 1999 McDonalds All-American Slam Dunk Contest, which includes two Sonics in Nick Collison and Damien Wilkins facing off. Who wins? Take a look.