SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Ron Murray continues to be one of the NBA's early-season surprises.
Murray matched a career high with 24 points as the Seattle SuperSonics made their home opener a successful one with a 100-82 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Acquired last season as a throw-in in the deal that sent Gary Payton to Milwaukee, Murray was impressive in two victories in Japan, averaging 23 points. The former Division II Player of the year at Shaw University continued his onslaught by scoring 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting in the pivotal third quarter.
"My teammates and my coach make me feel comfortable," Murray said. "They tell me to go out there and play ball, and that's what I'm doing. I just go out there and play my game."
Murray scored seven straight points for a 71-60 advantage with less than three minutes left in the period. Seattle extended to an 82-66 cushion heading into the fourth quarter and cruised home to become the lone remaining unbeaten team in the NBA at 3-0.
Rashard Lewis scored 21 points in his first game since a 50-point explosion last week against the Los Angeles Clippers. Brent Barry added 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting and Vladimir Radmanovic had 19.
"We're happy to be 3-0 and we're just trying to win as many games as possible," Lewis said. "We're out there being aggressive and playing hard, and when you play hard and play together, good things happen."
Rasheed Wallace led Portland with 25 points and 11 rebounds. The volatile Wallace also was assessed his first technical foul of the season early in the third quarter for complaining he was held by Lewis.
The game featured a bizarre 13-minute delay in the third quarter when the horn went off for five minutes. The scoreboards also failed, causing the additional delay.
Murray, starting in place of the injured Ray Allen, was 9-of-14 from the floor. The 6-4 guard converted a layup on the game's first possession, stayed aggressive throughout and had nine points in the second quarter.
"I've always been a scorer," Murray said. "This is my chance to go out there and play and show that I can score."
"Flip has been solid," Seattle coach Nate McMillan said. "You know, this is his third 20-point game and I think defensively he's playing a good game for us. He has stepped in and given us something we needed. Missing Ray Allen, the guy has the opportunity and he has certainly taken advantage of that."
Murray also dished out six assists and Radmanovic made three of Seattle's eight 3-pointers. The SuperSonics shot 55 percent (22-of-40) and kept it up by clicking at 53 percent (12-of-23) in the third quarter.
Wallace's technical came seconds after Barry fed Murray for a layup that gave Seattle lead for good at 56-54. Barry converted the free throw and Murray's 3-pointer made it a six-point game with just under nine minutes left in the third quarter.
"I think they had a little more energy for whatever reason," Portland coach Maurice Cheeks said. "Momentum took them in the third quarter and I think it just carried on after that."
No SuperSonics' starter pulled down more than six rebounds. Reserve Reggie Evans helped pick up the slack with 11 rebounds, two shy of his total for the first two games.
Portland committed 19 turnovers, leading to 21 points for Seattle. The Trail Blazers had 11 miscues after halftime, sealing their fate.
"Our traps extended our defense," McMillan said. "Our traps were working and I think we went through a lot of different defenses at those guys and kind of kept them guessing."
Zach Randolph collected 19 points and nine rebounds and Bonzi Wells never found his stroke with 13 on 5-of-15 shooting. Portland shot just over 40 percent (15-of-37) in the second half.
Randolph and Wallace combined for 10 turnovers, including seven over the final 24 minutes.
