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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Unless something changes in the next two
weeks, Utah coach Jerry Sloan will be emotionally drained and the
Jazz will be tumbling into the NBA playoffs.
|  | | Shaquille O'Neal had 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter on Tuesday. |
Shaquille O'Neal scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth
quarter and reserve Robert Horry had 20 to lead the Los Angeles
Lakers to a 96-88 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.
The loss doesn't bode well for Utah, which went 1-5 last month
against playoff-bound Western Conference teams. The Jazz started
April with a homecourt loss to another opponent they might face in
the early rounds.
"We're just not playing with much toughness defensively, or
really offensively, either," said John Stockton, who scored 19.
"We're missing that burning desire it takes to win ball games."
If Utah's 0-4 record against San Antonio and 1-3 mark against
Portland wasn't enough cause for concern, the Jazz also found they
can't beat the Lakers with Kobe Bryant on the bench.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson decided his star shooter, who ranks
third in the NBA at 28.7 points a game, needed more time to rest a
sore left foot that has kept him sidelined for six of the last
seven games.
Sacramento visits Utah on Thursday, and the Jazz are 1-2 against
the Kings.
"Those are the teams we'll end up playing," said Utah center
Olden Polynice. "If we want to get to the Finals like we've been
talking about, we've got to start beating these teams."
But as Stockton said, the Jazz seem to be missing any desire,
and it's frustrating Sloan. He questioned his team's intensity,
especially after O'Neal knocked Stockton to the floor late in the
first half.
Yet the Jazz didn't assemble a serious charge until the closing
minutes.
"When Shaq knocked John Stockton down and everyone just stood
there and watched it, I don't think they're involved," Sloan said.
O'Neal also charged Utah's other superstar, Karl Malone, when
the Mailman blocked his shot with 3:35 remaining. That ignited a
frenzied, emotional finish that resulted in Sloan's ejection.
"I got fouled and I just wanted them to call a foul on me,"
said O'Neal, who shot 13-of-24 from the field to offset his 5-of-11
effort at the line. "I wish I got the same kind of respect as
Malone and Stockton. Hopefully, I don't have to choke a ref to get
it."
Malone, who scored 31, stripped the ball from O'Neal and while
trying to protect it he hit Horry in the nose with an elbow. O'Neal
bumped Malone, sending Sloan into an obscenity-laced tirade
directed at referee Monty McCutchen.
O'Neal was called for the personal foul, but Sloan got a
technical.
"I got more than my money's worth," Sloan said, alluding to
the fines that will be coming from the NBA office. "Unfortunately,
I wasn't looking for my money's worth."
The Jazz trailed by 11 points midway through the final period.
Fueled by a noisy crowd, Utah cut the margin to 86-84 with 2:40
left on two free throws by Malone, who refused to discuss his
confrontation with O'Neal.
But O'Neal scored on a one-handed jumper and added two free
throws before Horry scored on a breakaway dunk following a Utah
turnover. Just as quickly as the Jazz had rallied, they were down
92-84 with 1:42 to play.
"Shaq made a big shot down the stretch and we got a steal that
contributed to the win," Jackson said.
Sloan, angry over the officiating, was ejected with 1:11
remaining after O'Neal wrestled Danny Manning for a loose ball and
McCutchen called for a jump ball. Sloan raced down the sideline and
let McCutchen know he disagreed.
When McCutchen signaled for another technical and ejected Sloan,
the coach followed him halfway across the court, then turned and
went to plead his case with officials Dick Bavetta and Ted
Bernhardt.
"I'm going to argue what's right as long as I'm in this
business," Sloan said. "I always have. I always will. If I'm
wrong, they can suspend me, kick me out of the league or do what
they want. I really don't care."
Game notes
Bryant was dressed in his uniform an hour before tipoff but
wore a suit later on the sideline. ... Greg Foster of the Lakers,
who spent four seasons in Utah, visited with security guards
outside the Jazz locker room after arriving at the Delta Center.
... Malone had a mild case of the flu but that didn't keep him on
the bench. He's missed only five games to injury during his 16-year
NBA career.
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NBA Scoreboard
LA Lakers Clubhouse
Utah Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 82
Miami 77
Charlotte 103
New Jersey 88
New York 94
Orlando 82
Indiana 85
Phoenix 81
Toronto 100
Philadelphia 85
LA Lakers 96
Utah 88
Detroit 110
Chicago 83
Dallas 109
Houston 97
San Antonio 107
Seattle 89
Denver 94
Portland 92
Milwaukee 107
Sacramento 101
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Shaquille O'Neal considers the Lakers a dangerous team in need of a little momentum.
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