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Monday, Dec. 6 9:00pm ET
Eisley scores season-high 18 points | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Howard Eisley, who rarely plays at the end of close games, had a big fourth quarter Monday night. Eisley scored eight of his season-high 18 points in the final period to help the Utah Jazz beat the Washington Wizards 102-96. "Howard Eisley was the big difference ... he hit a lot of tough shots," said Washington's Juwan Howard. Karl Malone had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Jazz, but didn't make a field goal in the final 10:54. Eisley picked up the slack, however, by hitting three jumpers early in the fourth quarter and sinking two clinching free throws with 17.6 seconds left. "Howard stepped up and had a good game for us," coach Jerry Sloan said. "He got open looks at the basket and was able to knock the shots down. He took advantage of his opportunity tonight." Eisley, who is shooting only 40 percent this season, was 6-of-8 from the field and made all five of his free throws. "I've been struggling ... so this game felt good," he said. "I just like being on the floor when it matters." Malone was 11-of-18 from the field and 10-of-14 from the line. "Karl is Karl. He is just incredible," Eisley said. "If he doesn't do his job, I wouldn't get all the open looks I get." The Wizards closed to 99-96 with 22 seconds remaining on Mitch Richmond's 3-pointer, but Eisley and Malone clinched it for Utah by making 3 of 4 free throws down the stretch. Bryon Russell scored 13 points and John Stockton got 10 points and 10 assists for the Jazz, who have not lost this season after taking a lead into the fourth quarter. Malone capped a 13-2 run with a three-point play that gave the Jazz a 69-59 lead with 5:17 left in the third period. "That stretch in the third quarter killed us," said Wizards coach Gar Heard. Chris Whitney scored all nine of his points in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter to lead a Washington comeback. Whitney hit a 3-pointer and Tracy Murray added a jumper to cut Utah's lead to 93-87 with 6:35 to play. But that was as close as the Wizards would get as they committed four turnovers in the last five minutes. Richmond led the Wizards with 25 points. Rod Strickland added 16 and Howard had 12 for Washington, which has lost six of its last seven games. The first half was tight throughout, with neither team leading by more than six points. The teams tied eight times and exchanged the lead six times. After the Wizards took a 46-45 lead with 4:02 left, Malone scored six points in a 7-4 run that gave the Jazz a 52-49 halftime lead. Game notesUtah's Greg Ostertag, who missed Saturday's win at Golden State to be with his ailing daughter, played 21 minutes and had five blocked shots. ... After a slow start this season, Richmond has averaged 24 points over the last four games. ... Aaron Williams picked up five fouls in four minutes while guarding Malone. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Washington Clubhouse Utah Clubhouse RECAPS Denver 94 Philadelphia 77
Utah 102
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