ESPN Network: ESPN.com | NFL.com | NBA.com | NHL.com | NASCAR | WNBA.com | ABCSports | EXPN | FANTASY | INSIDER

  Scores/Schedules
  Standings
  Statistics
  Transactions
  Injuries
  Players
  Message Board
  NBA StatSearch
  NBA en espaņol
Clubhouses





Friday, Nov. 10 9:00pm ET
Grant powers Heat to road victory

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Brian Grant has developed an inside presence for the Miami Heat.

Grant scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Heat beat Utah 87-80 and ended the Jazz's season-opening five-game unbeaten streak.

When Miami lost Alonzo Mourning for the season because of a kidney ailment, the Heat turned to Grant to fill the inside void. He seems to have found his place.

Bryon Russell
Bryon Russell scored 14 for the Jazz during Friday night's loss.
"It's not about me, it's just about winning. Tonight's win is definitely a big character-builder," said Grant, who grabbing a key rebound and hit two free throws in the last 15 seconds.

Miami led most of the way before faltering in the fourth period. But Tim Hardaway hit back-to-back jumpers to give Miami a 83-75 edge with 1:21 remaining.

The Jazz made one last run as John Stockton made a 3-pointer and a running jumper.

Stockton had a chance to tie the game with a deep 3-point attempt, but missed and was forced to foul Grant with 15 seconds remaining.

Grant made both free throws, and Anthony Mason added two more with 4.5 seconds left for the final margin.

"You expect the Jazz to make a run but it was a big game for us and we pulled it out," Grant said.

Mason had a season-high 16 points and held Karl Malone scoreless the last 3:41. Hardaway finished with 17 points as the Heat completed a quick two-game Western road swing with two wins.

Malone scored 21 points and had 11 rebounds. Stockton and Bryon Russell had 14 each for Utah, which shot 43 percent from the field.

"They wanted the ball game. They came in here and kicked our butts in our own building," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said.

Grant realized the magnitude of the win.

"I can't tell you how many times I have been in this building with 'Stockton-to-Malone' and we walk out with nothing. Not tonight! We are victorious," said Grant, who had 30 points and 21 rebounds in Wednesday's victory 87-81 at Seattle.

Donyell Marshall scored six of his eight points in a 11-2 Jazz run over the first 5:49 of the fourth quarter. That spurt cut Miami's lead to 76-69.

After Grant made one of two free throws, Malone hit two field goals that rallied the Jazz to 77-73.

Miami led by double figures the entire third quarter, which ended with Anthony Carter's jumper putting the Heat up 74-58.

In the second quarter, Miami held Utah to just 11 points. The Heat shot 12 free throws to Utah's two. Mason had 10 points in the period, as Miami moved out to a 46-34 lead at halftime.

"I think we showed a lot of character to buckle down and stop them when they were having a run at home ... We came together as a team tonight," Grant said.

Game notes
The Jazz failed in their bid to match a franchise record with a 6-0 start. Utah started 6-0 in the strike-shortened 1998-99 season. ... Karl Malone passed Moses Malone (11,090 free throw attempts) for second place on the NBA career free throws attempted list with 7:54 left in the first quarter. ... Utah's 19-year-old rookie, DeShawn Stevenson, played six minutes of the fourth quarter when the Jazz outscored the Heat 11-2. ... Heat starting center Duane Causwell had season-highs in points (eight) and rebounds (eight), but did not play in the fourth quarter. ... Grant has scored 51 points and pulled down 31 rebounds in his last two starts.


NBA Scoreboard

Miami Clubhouse

Utah Clubhouse

Jazz's Polynice charged with impersonating cop


RECAPS
Toronto 115
Cleveland 88

Indiana 86
Washington 74

New York 103
Boston 101

Dallas 79
San Antonio 77

Miami 87
Utah 80

Sacramento 114
Golden State 107

LA Clippers 115
Atlanta 106

AUDIO/VIDEO
audio
 Jerry Sloan says his Jazz team played scared Friday against the Heat.
wav: 84 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

 Donyell Marshall says the Jazz could not execute untill late the game.
wav: 55 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6


ESPN.com:  HELP |  ADVERTISER INFO |  CONTACT US |  TOOLS |  SITE MAP
Copyright ©2000 ESPN Internet Group. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com.