Jazz Tame Grizzlies

Karl Malone had 25 points and 14 rebounds and the Utah Jazz used tight defense down the stretch Saturday night to secure a sloppy 84-75 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies.

Malone recorded his 38th double-double of the season despite hitting just 9 of 25 from the field.

Utah held Vancouver without a field goal for 4:42 late in the fourth quarter en route to winning for the 20th time in 23 outings.

Dennis Scott scored 16 points to lead the Grizzlies, who have lost 13 of 14.

Neither team shot well, with Utah finishing the game at 41.9 percent and Vancouver at 35.4.

Vancouver's starting guards, Mike Bibby and Michael Dickerson, missed all 12 shots they took in the first half, while Utah's John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek were a combined 3-for-12.

The teams went to the break tied at 34.

The Grizzlies' lone offensive push early came from an unexpected source. Antoine Carr, playing his first game since Jan. 26, combined with Scott to score 22 points in the half, just two fewer than Utah's starting unit.

Vancouver, hich beat the Jazz the last time the teams played for the franchise's first win over Utah, stayed in contention until the fourth quarter.

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