Two weeks ago, the Sonics held a players-only meeting and set a goal that seemed ambitious as recently as last week: reach .500 by the New Year.

Last night, Gary Payton made sure the Sonics reached that goal by scoring a season-high 43 points in the Sonics' 101-90 NBA victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Behind Payton's virtuoso performance, which was one short of his career best, the Sonics won their season-high fifth straight game, improving to 15-15 as they continue to play their best ball of the season.

"It's a small goal that we set for ourselves," said Brent Barry, who missed six of eight shots but had a game-high seven assists. "But we're not going to settle for mediocrity."

"Gary, Gary, Gary," fans chanted in the waning moments.

Seattle's previous three games ended in blowout fashion as the team has combined smothering offense with sharp execution against road weary teams. But against the young, athletic Clippers, last night's outcome wasn't determined until the fourth quarter, when Payton scored 20 points.

"Not only did he get the 43," said Vin Baker, "but he got big buckets for us when we really needed it. And I think that's the most impressive part of it. It wasn't a runaway 43, it was a 43 that we needed every bucket of down the stretch."

Before the season, management requested that Payton dominate the offense less as the club developed its younger players, particularly Rashard Lewis and Desmond Mason.

And the point guard has complied for most of the season. But with the Clippers staying close through most of the fourth quarter, the 33-year-old Payton showed why he remains one of the top players in the league.

Although Payton took 27 shots, making 18, he played within the flow of the game. With fans cheering wildly for Payton to set a career-high mark in the final seconds, the point guard passed to Shammond Williams after being double-teamed.

"I didn't realize he had 43 until the fans started chanting his name," said Coach Nate McMillan, whose team was .500 two other times this season, at 1-1 and at 8-8. "It was just a solid floor game by him. I don't think he forced anything.

"It was an unbelievable fourth quarter by him, taking over and reading situations and, you know, putting the game away."

The Sonics weren't close to having an even mark after being trounced 114-94 by the Clippers on Dec. 12. That lackluster performance ended with the Clippers trying trick shots, which the Sonics didn't take kindly to.

Last night, the Clippers played the second of a back-to-back set. And Los Angeles ? which entered last night's game 1-6 on the road ? was without Lamar Odom (right wrist).

However, the Clippers didn't lay down for a Sonics team bent on revenge. Seattle led for most of the first half, yet the Clippers showed unexpected energy for a team that arrived in Seattle around 3 a.m.

Los Angeles played aggressively, attacking the rim to force fouls and crashing the boards with intensity. The Clippers made all 21 free-throw attempts in the first half. And it was fitting that the final two free throws gave the Clippers a 49-47 lead to enter the third quarter.

The Clippers' aggressive play forced Rashard Lewis out midway through the second quarter. Lewis drew a charge against Corey Maggette that split open Lewis' upper lip. He went into the locker room to receive eight stitches before returning midway through the third.

The Sonics have two more home games left, including tomorrow against the Raptors.

And now that the Sonics are at .500, they intend to raise their goals using the increased confidence of a break-even mark.

"We were .500 opening night," Barry said. "We were 0-0. It's been two months. It's kind of like running on a treadmill. You're not going anywhere until this point. So come Saturday, we can get a game up above .500 and really start the new year off with a different focus."