Malone, Jazz Beat Bucks 110-92

March 8, 1998 / 12:00 AM EST / CBS/AP

The Utah Jazz have defeated a variety of trapping defenses, but never one like the Milwaukee Bucks threw at them.

"They were running a different kind of trap - an illegal trap," Karl Malone said after scoring 40 points and grabbing eight rebounds to lead the Jazz to their sixth straight victory - a 110-92 decision over the Bucks on Saturday night."We adjusted to it and we got after it."

Malone and the Jazz took advantage of Milwaukee's NBA record-tying six illegal defenses and cruised to their 14th win in their last 16 games.

Malone scored more than 30 points for the third straight game to help improve Utah to 43-16, second best in the Western Conference behind Seattle (45-15).

"We had four teams trap us trap us," Malone said, noting that the only exception was the Houston Rockets during the just completed five-game road swing."We handled it really well, but tonight it took us a little while."

For three quarters, the Bucks stayed close using their version of the trap. They were forced to because of the absence of their leading-scorer Glenn Robinson and top-rebounder Tyrone Hill.

Robinson was out with a hyperextended left knee and Hill missed the game with an upper respiratory condition.

"I thought Chris did a heck of a job trying to keep his team in there with those players hurt," Jazz coach Jerry Sloane said.

The Bucks used the defensive wrinkle to hold Malone to just 15 points in the first half and trailed 50-43 at the half.

Milwaukee stayed close in the third behind 11 points from Ray Allen, who finished with 27 points. They tied the game for the eighth time on Andrew Lang's running hook shot, but Malone scored five straight points to give the Jazz a 70-65 lead late in the third.

The Jazz finally solved the Bucks' defensive plan in the fourth and took control with a 10-2 run.

Adam Keefe, who had 16 points, started the surge with a layup off a pass from Malone and after Bryon Russell hit a 3-pointer, Howard Eisley finished with three free throws that gave the Jazz an 84-72 lead with 8:55 left to play.

"It was a close game until the fourth quarter," said Armon Gilliam, who had 12 points while filling in for Hill."They figured out our trap and did what they had to do to blow the game open."

Malone made sure the Bucks wouldn't get the lead below 12 points when he hit three straight baskets that gave the Jazz a 94-76 lead midway through the final period.

"We made them pay for trapping," Malone said after the Jazz went undefeated on the five-game road trip."I can rest tomorrow for work on Monday."

Michael Curry, starting for Robinson, had 12 points for Milwaukee, which dropped its 11th game to the Jazz in the last 12 meetings.

The Bucks tied the record for illegal defenses recorded by onteam, a mark they set against the New Jersey Nets on Feb. 16th.

Notes: Glenn Robinson was listed as day-to-day. He injured his knee after colliding with Denver's Anthony Goldwire with 3:28 remaining in the Bucks' win over the Nuggets Thursday night. ... It was the fourth sellout of the season for Milwaukee and surpassed last year's total. ... Jerry Sloan needs five more games to reach 1,000 in his 13-year coaching career. ... The Bucks had four technical called on them for illegal defense in the first half, including three on Lang. ... Malone has led the Jazz in scoring 54 of the last 59 games.