While many people lightened their work schedules this week because of the holidays, Sonics broadcaster Kevin Calabro did double duty yesterday.

Before calling last night's Sonics game against the Los Angeles Clippers for KJR radio, Calabro did play-by-play for the Seattle Bowl, which Georgia Tech won 24-14 over Stanford.

Calabro arrived at Safeco Field around 11 a.m. to prepare with broadcast partners Mike Gastineau and Dave Grosby.

"I walked around Safeco Field a little bit, got down the field and watched some of the warmups to get an idea of who these guys are," Calabro said. "And then I jumped in the booth with Gas and Groz, and away we went."

The game ended early enough for Calabro to arrive at KeyArena at his usual time, before 5:30 p.m.

"I like doing football whenever I get a chance to do football," said Calabro, who was asked about a month ago by KJR.

But the Sonics play-by-play announcer, considered among the best of NBA broadcasters, certainly won't give up his day job.

"Kevin is one of the best-kept secrets in the NBA," owner Howard Schultz said before the game. "But if there's a better guy calling basketball in the NBA, I haven't heard him. The best guy that I heard as a young guy was Marv Albert. I think Kevin is better."

During Jim Lambright's last season with the Huskies in 1998, Calabro called UW football for Fox along with Sonny Sixkiller. So he wasn't totally out of his element.

"I didn't find it too much different this time around," Calabro said. "Gas and Groz are both very good. All I had to do was call the play in hand, and the fellas took care of everything in between."

Notes

? The Sonics have formed a partnership with the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. The deal gives Nasdaq naming rights to the Courtside Club restaurant. The club ? available to courtside and suite ticket-holders ? will be called Nasdaq-100 Club until the deal expires in three years.

? Half-price tickets for Sonics games are still available for military personnel. Those eligible must present valid military identification at the KeyArena East Box Office two hours before tipoff.

? Vladimir Radmanovic didn't play as a precaution after being hit in the head during Wednesday's practice.

Yesterday's game at a glance PLAYER OF THE GAME: Gary Payton showed yet again that he remains on top of his game at age 33. The point guard toyed with the younger, more athletic Clippers before finishing with 43 points (on 18-for-27 shooting), eight rebounds and six assists. Payton had zero turnovers in 45 minutes.

TOP RESERVE: Desmond Mason had a shaky start with turnovers but finished strong. Mason had 12 points, five rebounds, one block and one steal.

KEY TO THE GAME: The Clippers stayed close with aggressive play, attacking the basket and crashing the boards. But there was little they could do in the fourth quarter to contain Payton, who scored 20 in the final period.

NEXT: Tomorrow, 7 p.m. vs. the Raptors at KeyArena.