Malone, Jazz Blast Wizards

Asked about Karl Malone, Washington coach Gar Heard just shook his head in wonder.

"He's not one of the best ever for nothing," Heard said after watching Malone score 24 of his 34 points in the second half to help the Utah Jazz stretch their winning streak to six with a 101-80 victory over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.

Malone scored nine of his points as Utah went on a 14-1 third-quarter run to take over. He scored 11 in the quarter. "We have to go through him to be successful. And he was terrific tonight." Utah's John Stockton said.

Malone also sparked a strong defensive effort that forced the Wizards to miss 15 of 18 from the field in the third quarter.

"Any time you can hold a team to 16 percent and you get some rhythm going, and then you stretch the lead by playing good defense, then you're going to score some points," Malone said.

Utah tightened its defense in the second half . The Jazz outscored Washington 29-14 in the third quarter, and the Wizards went without a basket for 8 minutes, 58 seconds and scored only 36 points in the second half.

Jeff Hornacek scored nine of his 21 in the third period, including a 3-pointer, and Stockton (11 points) handed out four of his seven assists in the quarter as Utah shot 10-of-16 from the field.

All five Utah starters, including Bryon Russell (10 points) and Olden Polynice (10 points) scored in double figures.

Before shooting only 3-of-18 from the field in the third quarter, the Wizards shot 57 percent in the first half and led for several stretches. Rod Strickland score11 of his 18 points to help the Wizards take a 44-43 halftime lead.

Mitch Richmond added 17 for Washington, and Juwan Howard and Michael Smith scored 12 apiece.

Heard may have caused some more problems after the game when he labeled his team "soft."

The comment upset Strickland, who gave a profanity-laced response.

"I don't agree with that," Strickland said. "Ain't nothing soft about me. Ain't nothing soft about anybody in here. They're putting that out there a little too much for me."

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