Rashard Lewis scored a career-high 50 points to lead the Seattle SuperSonics to a 124-105 win Saturday over the Los Angeles Clippers and close out the two-game series in Japan.

Seattle SuperSonics' Rashard Lewis (7), right, shoots over Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Kaman (35) in the second quarter of the NBA regular season opener's 2nd game at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, north of Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003. [AP]

Lewis, who led the Sonics with 25 points in Thursday's 109-100 win, scored 26 points in the first half and nearly matched that total after the break at Saitama Super Arena.

Lewis made 18 of 25 shots from the field, including going 4-for-7 from 3-point range, and was 10-of-13 at the foul line. His previous career high was 37 points, set last season against Washington.

Ronald Murray had 22 points, and Brent Barry added 14 for Seattle, which had five scorers in double figures.

Seattle used pressure defense to force several turnovers and open up a 17-point lead with just over 10 minutes left in the game.

Corey Maggette led the Clippers with 26 points, and Quentin Richardson was next with 19 points and seven rebounds.

Los Angeles forward Elton Brand sustained a hairline fracture in his right foot during the season-opening loss on Thursday and is expected to be out four to six weeks.

Seattle made the trip to Japan without three-time All-Star guard Ray Allen, who has an injured ankle. He was scheduled to have surgery Saturday in Los Angeles.

Marko Jaric hit a 3-pointer to pull the Clippers within one point late in the second quarter but Lewis came back with two 3-pointers as the Sonics took a 66-58 lead at the half.

Seattle's high all last season in the first half was 63.

Unlike Thursday's game, both teams started quickly. Lewis scored 15 points, and the Sonics grabbed a 35-30 lead after the first quarter.

This is the sixth time the NBA has played regular-season games in Japan but the first since 1999 when Minnesota faced Sacramento at Tokyo Dome.

Notes:@ Lewis set the mark for the most points in an NBA game in Japan. Portland's Clyde Drexler scored 41 in Japan in 1994. Lewis broke the mark with a fadeaway jumper with 7:08 left in the final quarter.

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