Malone Keeps Jazz Road Show on a Roll

At age 38, Karl Malone still has plenty of fun making life miserable for opposing fans.

Malone scored 35 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 103-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night at Cleveland--then poked fun at fans who tried to disrupt his rhythm at the foul line by hooting, hollering and waving white balloons.

“They were vocal, but didn’t cross the line,” said Malone, who bowed to fans chanting, “Karl, Karl,” as he left the game with 41 seconds remaining.

Malone dominated the second half, scoring 23 points as Utah won its fifth straight to improve to 5-2 on its nine-game trip, forced by the Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Lamond Murray scored 25 points to lead the Cavaliers, who had a season-high, four-game winning streak snapped.

Houston 102, Washington 89--Cuttino Mobley had 31 points and Steve Francis, questionable before the game with a migraine, scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half as the Rockets won at Washington. Michael Jordan had 11 points and 11 assists for the Wizards, who had won four straight at home and six of eight overall.

Jordan also revealed afterward that he will have another fluid buildup in his right knee drained and will miss Wednesday’s game at Detroit. He missed a game earlier at San Antonio for the same reason.

Philadelphia 110, Denver 83--Playing on a sprained toe, Allen Iverson had 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and Dikembe Mutombo scored 20 points on nine-for-nine shooting to lead the 76ers at Philadelphia. The 76ers broke a two-game losing streak.

Charlotte 101, Milwaukee 92--Jamal Mashburn, who had been out since Nov. 20 because of an abdominal strain, returned to the lineup and scored 22 points to lead the Hornets at Milwaukee. The Bucks lost for the ninth time in 12 games.

Detroit 89, Toronto 76--Jerry Stackhouse scored 20 points for the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich. The Pistons (29-22) have won three straight and nine of 11 and Toronto has lost five straight since Vince Carter went on the injured list because of a quadriceps strain.

Miami 102, Chicago 80--Alonzo Mourning scored 23 points for the Heat at Miami.