clarinews@clarinet.com (01/18/90)
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (UPI) -- James Worthy scored 24 points Wednesday night to lead the Los Angeles Lakers their fourth win in a row, a 100-90 victory over the Seattle Supersonics. Magic Johnson had 22 points and Mychal Thompson added 18 points for Los Angeles. Sedale Threatt led all scorers with 26 points. Forward Xavier McDaniel added 18 for Seattle. The Lakers improved their NBA-best record to 27-8. Seattle fell to 18-17 as their three-game winning streak was snapped. Seattle kept the pressure on Los Angeles the entire first half. The Lakers built an early 6-point lead, 20-14, on a pair of Orlando Woolridge with 1:46 to play in the first quarter. The Sonics battled back behind Threatt's 12-point quarter. His 3-point play knotted the score at 47-47 with 45 seconds remaining in the first half. The teams went to the locker rooms tied at 50. Los Angeles surged to open the third quarter, outscoring the Sonics 20-10 during a seven-minute span to snap a 54-54 tie and take a 74-64 lead with 1:28 to play in the quarter. Seattle got to within 6 points in the final period at 93-87 with 3:02 to play. Two Johnson free throws and a 12-foot hook and Byron Scott's 3-point field goal gave the Lakers an unsurmountable lead with 2:19 to play in the game.