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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Bryon Russell says the Utah Jazz are a
fourth-quarter team, and Russell was definitely a fourth-quarter
player Thursday night.
Russell scored eight of his 20 points in the final quarter as
the Utah Jazz broke open a close game and beat Vancouver 98-87.
"The fourth quarter is when it really matters and that's the
time we get things done," said Russell, who had only two points at
halftime.
Karl Malone added 18 as the Jazz posted their eighth victory in
their last nine games.
The Jazz are 10-1 when they are leading or the game is tied
entering the final period. Utah is 5-3 when trailing after three
quarters.
"Games are won and lost in the fourth quarter," John Starks
said. "We are a good veteran team and we know how to make the
plays when they count."
That's the difference between the Jazz and the Grizzlies,
Vancouver coach Sidney Lowe said. Utah has posted a 19-1 record
against the Grizzlies.
"At the end, the Jazz did what they do best. They executed and
hit big shots ... that's what they always do," Lowe said.
Trailing 68-60 entering the final period, Vancouver looked to
Bryant Reeves for some offense although he has struggled shooting
this year. Matched up opposite Greg Ostertag, Reeves cut the Jazz's
lead to 68-64 by scoring the Grizzlies' first eight points of the
quarter.
"I came in and felt like I was in the groove," Reeves said.
"They kept calling plays for me and I was able to do some
things."
But Utah responded with a 9-0 run, including a couple of
spectacular fast break finishes from Russell and Donyell Marshall,
to take an 88-70 lead with 4:45 to play.
"We made some defensive stops and were able to get out on the
break a little bit. That was the difference at the end there,"
said John Stockton, who had 13 points and 13 assists for the Jazz.
Reeves, who shoots just 36 percent and averages 5.1 points off
the bench, bested his previous season-high of 10 points with 17. He
also grabbed 11 rebounds.
"Our defense was solid but we knew they were going to came back
at us," Reeves said. "They executed down the stretch and we
couldn't fight back."
Shareef Abdur-Rahim shot just 5-of-13 from the field but
finished with 21 points. Mike Bibby added 18 points.
The Grizzlies have stumbled since opening the season with wins
in four of their first five games.
Vancouver led by five on Michael Dickerson's 3-pointer with 6:59
left in the second quarter.
Dickerson, in his second game back after missing eight games
with a sprained ankle, had eight points in 29 minutes.
But Malone scored his first five points in a 9-2 run that gave
Utah a 31-29 lead with 5:23 left until halftime.
Though the Jazz were outrebounded 24-13 in the first half,
Stockton's driving lay-up before the buzzer made it 44-41 for Utah.
Vancouver set a franchise record for turnovers in a half with 19 in
the first two periods.
Game
notes
A game after moving past Wilt Chamberlain into second place
on the all-time NBA scoring list, Malone didn't score until 6:45
until halftime ... Grizzlies starting center Ike Austin missed his
first seven shots -- all from outside 19 feet ... Othella Harrington
exchanged angry words with Malone after drawing his sixth foul late
in the fourth quarter ... Greg Ostertag spent several minutes
laying on the ground after falling when going in for a dunk attempt
against Harrington and Reeves with 3:48 remaining.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Vancouver Clubhouse
Utah Clubhouse
RECAPS
Orlando 103
Denver 93
Phoenix 104
Milwaukee 96
Minnesota 105
Washington 88
New York 86
San Antonio 83
Utah 98
Vancouver 87
AUDIO/VIDEO
 John Stockton fires the full-court pass to Bryon Russell under the hoop.
avi: 452 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Karl Malone Official Site
Bryon Russell Official Site
Mike Bibby Official Site
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