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SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- It took Latrell Sprewell two preseason games to find his scoring touch. That was not enough for the winless New York Knicks to overcome the injury-depleted Utah Jazz.

Sprewell, who missed the exhibition opener due to a suspension and looked rusty his first time out, collected 27 points but the Knicks suffered a 111-103 loss to the Jazz, who were without three key players for most of the game.

Superstar forward Karl Malone, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, missed the first of what is expected to be four preseason games with a strained lower back. Malone suffered the injury during a drill in training camp on October 6.

To make matters worse, the Jazz also lost guard Jeff Hornacek to a sprained right quadricep early in the third quarter and backcourt mate Howard Eisley went down with a sprained right groin just prior to the half. Hornacek and Eisley combined for just 11 points and will be re-evaluated Tuesday.

The Jazz got a lift from a trio on the bottom of the roster. Alvin Sims scored 17 points, Rick Hughes added 14 and Torraye Braggs 12 for Utah (2-1).

Allan Houston scored 11 of his 22 points in the opening quarter and John Wallace finished with 12 for the Knicks (0-3).