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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ Despite nagging back and finger injuries that he said might keep him from playing in the NBA All-Star Game, Karl Malone felt strong enough to score 30 points and grab 10 rebounds as Utah defeated Chicago 113-86 Wednesday night.

Malone was 11-of-15 from the field and 8-of-9 from the line. The Jazz led 91-70 when the 6-foot-9 forward sat down for good at the end of the third quarter.

Malone had said repeatedly the last week that his team would be best served if he used the upcoming All-Star break to rest his 36-year-old body. Earlier Wednesday, however, Malone's agent, Dwight Manley, said the Mailman would be playing in his 12th All-Star game Sunday in Oakland.

Elton Brand brought the Bulls within 69-60 midway through the third quarter with a layup, but Malone had seven points in a 16-6 run that gave the Jazz a 85-66 lead with 3:28 left in the period.

Jeff Hornacek scored 15 and Armen Gilliam 13 for the Jazz, who have won two in a row since a six-game losing streak that was the franchise's longest in 17 years.

Brand led Chicago with 13 points in 21 minutes as the Bulls limped to the end of their six-game Western Conference swing.

Utah shot 58 percent and had 35 assists in its fourth straight victory over the Bulls.

Chicago coach Tim Floyd chose to start rookie Michael Ruffin opposite Malone and the Jazz went to the low post early and often. Malone scored 16 points in the first quarter but the Jazz trailed 46-41 with 7:49 left until halftime.

Utah didn't take control until Greg Ostertag came off the bench and sparked a 14-1 run with five points and two blocks in a three minute span. Utah led 63-53 at the half while shooting 66 percent from the field.

Notes: After losing 119-80 at Sacramento on Tuesday, Floyd started Matt Maloney, Ruffin and Hawkins in place of the Bulls' usual front line of Dickey Simpkins, Toni Kukoc and Brand. ... Utah is 14-1 against sub-.500 teams. ... Brand had scored 20 more points in 10 of the previous 12 games.