Malone, Jazz Shoot Over Lakers

April 7, 1999 / 3:01 AM EDT / CBS/AP

The Utah Jazz couldn't be stopped in the fourth quarter, so the Los Angeles Lakers lost to their Western Conference rival for the second time at the Forum this season.

Karl Malone scored 30 points, hitting all 12 of his field goal attempts despite a sprained left knee, and the Jazz rallied in the final quarter for a 106-93 victory Tuesday night.

"It's the same story," Lakers guard Derek Harper said. "Until we can get defensive stops, we are not going to be able to beat the elite teams. That's our one drawback."

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Elbows flew and tempers flared in the rematch of last year's conference finals, a series the Jazz swept. This time, Shaquille O'Neal and Dennis Rodman of the Lakers were given technical fouls and Utah coach Jerry Sloan was ejected in the third quarter.

"Expect nothing less," Jazz forward Bryon Russell said of the heated rivalry.

O'Neal led the Lakers with 24 points, but had just three in the second half when he was plagued by five fouls. Rick Fox added 19 points and Rodman grabbed 12 rebounds hours after his impending divorce from actress Carmen Electra was announced.

"He can score 50 points for all I care," Rodman said of Malone. "Just as long as we win, then who cares how many points he scores."

O'Neal received a technical for throwing Todd Fuller off him in the fourth quarter when the Lakers led by four points. Their demise began shortly before O'Neal was whistled for the technical.

"We had a lack of concentration, a lack of mental toughness," O'Neal said. "We just have to get it done."

Utah scored seven straight points, capped by Jeff Hornacek's free throw on the technical against O'Neal, to take an 83-80 lead with 8:21 remaining.

While Malone was perfect throughout, Shandon Anderson dominated the final quarter, cutting to the basket repeatedly fo layups worth 10 of his 12 points.

"Shandon got open and on top of the basket," Sloan said. "We got some layups in the fourth quarter we haven't been able to get."

O'Neal hit just one of four straight free throw attempts to draw the Lakers within two the closest they came the rest of the game. Utah outscored Los Angeles 23-12 over the final 7:20.

"I don't think that has anything to do with Shandon Anderson. I think that's our poor defense," Lakers coach Kurt Rambis said. "Our guys decided to do something different than what we said. They weren't focused."

Malone sprained his left knee in the third quarter and missed the first two minutes of the fourth before he returned with his efficient scoring intact. He hit six of eight free throws and had 10 rebounds.

"It's a big win, but it's not the kind of win you think you won a championship," Malone said. "You can't get caught up in it. It's a kind of win you can build momentum on."

John Stockton added 17 points and Greg Ostertag had 10 rebounds as Utah controlled the boards, 42-36.

Sloan was ejected after his second technical at 10:52 of third quarter and stalked toward the referee before Stockton and Ostertag intervened and sent Sloan off the court.

"That was a mistake," Sloan said, declining to explain what led to his ejection. "I don't have any more money, so don't try to get me in any more trouble."

The Jazz blew a 12-point lead in the first quarter and trailed by five in the third quarter. The Lakers got back into the game on the solid play of their reserves, including rookie guard Tyronn Lue, who had 12 points in just his second game of the season. He was activated Monday off the injured list.

Notes: Lakers guard Derek Fisher left the game in the second quarter with tendinitis in his right knee and did not return. ... In Lue's only other game this season, he had two points and two assists in two minutes at Minnesota on Feb. 11. ... The Lakers played the second of three in a row, with a quick trip to Sacramento waiting Wednesday. The last time they played three straight, Los Angeles went 0-3 at the end of February and Del Harris was fired as coach. ... Rodman picked up his 11th technical of the season in the first quarter. He hung on to Malone's shorts and didn't let go until Malone landed hard on his rear end. O'Neal's technical in the fourth was the Lakers' 25th. ... The Jazz leads the season series 2-1, with both wins at the Forum.