(My Sportsbook) - The Seattle SuperSonics suffered yet another tough defeat on Friday, losing in overtime to the New Orleans Hornets.

With just 59 seconds remaining in the extra session, Rashard Lewis drained a three-pointer to tie the score at 86-86.

The Hornets' Robert Traylor was then sent to the line with 40 seconds left, but missed both free throws. However, after Gary Payton missed a jumper for Seattle, Traylor made up for his miscues by tipping home Baron Davis' three- point attempt for the game-winner just before the horn sounded.

"We don't box out," said Payton. "They get a tip-in and they beat us on a crazy play. They miss the shot, we've got to get the rebound."

The loss was especially tough for Seattle considering it blew a 14-point lead. The Sonics led 31-17 after the first quarter, but the Hornets outscored Seattle 26-15 in the second quarter to trail by just three at the break, 46-43.

Seattle, which shot just 37 percent from the floor for the game, scored only 40 points after halftime, including 12 in the third quarter.

Lewis finished with 26 points, shooting 7-of-19 from the floor and 11-of-11 from the free throw line. Payton collected 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds, but shot just 6-of-24 from the field.

"It was one of them nights," Payton said. "Some nights you have a good night. Some nights you don't. Tonight we struggled, myself especially. You have to make it up at the other end."

The setback was the second straight for Seattle. The Sonics had suffered another close home loss on Wednesday, falling to the San Antonio Spurs, 91-88.

The small-ball Sonics were also burned by size in Wednesday's affair. A tip-in by David Robinson gave the Spurs a 91-81 lead with 1:53 remaining before some hot shooting got Seattle back within three at 91-88 with 49 seconds left.

However, Lewis missed on a couple of attempts before San Antonio regained possession with 5.4 seconds left. Desmond Mason drew an offensive foul from Steve Smith to give the Sonics another chance at the tie. But Payton badly missed a three-pointer at the buzzer.

"We are just not able to make the plays late in the ballgame," Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. "Whether it's coming up with a defensive stop, rebounding the ball or have the opportunity to go ahead with the ball. Right now, we're not making those plays."

Seattle has dropped three of its last four and currently holds the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Sonics play three of their next four games on the road.