Jazz Earns First Trip to Western Finals

The Utah Jazz is heading for unchartered territory--the Western Conference finals.

“It’s obviously a great win for us,” center Mark Eaton said after Utah advanced to the Western finals for the first time by beating the Seattle SuperSonics, 111-100, on Thursday night to wrap up their semifinal series in five games. “It gives us a chance to compete at a level where we never have been before.”

Karl Malone scored 37 points, 15 in the fourth quarter, to rally the Jazz from an eight-point deficit. Utah scored the game’s last 10 points in the final two minutes.

For a franchise that had never found a way to get past the second round of the playoffs, it was a night to savor.

“It’s very exciting,” said Jeff Malone, who scored 20 points.

The Jazz will play Game 1 of the finals Saturday at Portland.

“We really don’t have time to celebrate,” Karl Malone said. “But everybody on this team should feel proud. We feel like we can play with anybody, home and away.”

The victory improved Utah’s home record to an NBA-best 43-4 in the Delta Center, including seven consecutive playoff victories.

Seattle Coach George Karl said that in the end, the Jazz simply had too much talent.

“I love their team. People don’t realize that they’ve done the best job in the West all year,” he said. “John Stockton gives the ball to Malone at great angles. He is just fantastic. Karl should give him a bonus after every game.”

Stockton, who had 18 points and 17 assists, warned that the next round would be even more challenging.

“It doesn’t get easier. Every series gets tougher,” he said.

“I think we can play with Portland.”

Eaton, a 7-foot-4 center who seldom scores, finished with 14 points--eight in the final quarter--and nine rebounds.

Eddie Johnson scored 26 points for Seattle. Derrick McKey had 17, Ricky Pierce 16.

Johnson’s three-point shot early in the fourth quarter gave Seattle an 87-79 lead. But Karl Malone scored 10 points during a 12-3 run that put Utah ahead for good.