RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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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 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.
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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
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
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