NBA ROUNDUP : Malone’s Game Shouts in a Victory Over Nets

Being called an “Uncle Tom” and a fake by Derrick Coleman of the New Jersey Nets didn’t have any effect on Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone.

Malone did what he normally does, scoring 29 points, pulling down 18 rebounds and leading the Jazz to a 103-98 victory at East Rutherford, N.J.

Utah has won 10 of 11 games.

“I told the guys before the game that I wouldn’t let it bother me and it didn’t,” Malone said. “I think we executed well, and we have been playing good ball on the road. I don’t always let my game be talk. I just go out and do it.”

Much of what Malone did came with Coleman on the bench in foul trouble, spoiling the anticipated battle between the two that has been brewing for months.

Earlier in the season, Malone had criticized Coleman’s work ethic, saying he had great potential but that his “teammates were either going to follow him to the lottery or to a championship.”

“We didn’t have any words tonight,” said Coleman, who finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds in 33 minutes. “I put it all behind me.”

However, it was obvious Coleman was still annoyed about being criticized by Malone.

“I think if you have a problem with me, address me and don’t put it out in the media,” he said.

John Stockton had 14 points and 15 assists for the Jazz.

The showdown between Malone and Coleman ended when Coleman picked up three fouls in a three-minute span bridging the first and second quarters.

However, the game was far from dull. It featured eight technical fouls, the ejection of the Jazz’s Jeff Hornacek late in the third quarter and a last-minute rally by the Nets that was short-circuited by a turnover with New Jersey within three points.

OTHER GAMES

Scottie Pippen capped a 27-point night with a three-point play with 3.3 seconds left as the Bulls rallied for an 87-86 victory over Milwaukee at Chicago. . . . Patrick Ewing scored 36 points and the New York Knicks held the Washington Bullets to 14 fourth-quarter points in an 89-81 victory at Landover, Md. . . . Rik Smits had 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Pacers gave the Orlando Magic their first three-game losing streak of the season, 107-97, at Indianapolis. . . . Sean Rooks broke a 74-74 tie with a free throw, then made a key steal to help seal the Timberwolves’ 80-77 victory over Cleveland at Minneapolis. . . . Popeye Jones scored the go-ahead basket with 4.3 seconds to play at Dallas as the Mavericks handed the Philadelphia 76ers their seventh consecutive defeat, 103-101. . . . Mitch Richmond scored 27 points and Brian Grant had 20 to lead the Kings to a 128-110 victory over Golden State at Sacramento in a game in which the Kings shot 60.9%.

Notes

Doctors successfully repaired a ligament in the left wrist of Golden State Warrior point guard Tim Hardaway, who is out for the season. . . . A grievance is being filed through the NBA Players Assn. on behalf of Anthony Mason, who has been suspended for at least five games by the New York Knicks. . . . The San Antonio Spurs have not taken any disciplinary action against Dennis Rodman, who showed up late for a game Thursday, claiming he had overslept.