SuperSonics Latest Victims of Hot Jazz

The best start in Jazz history got even better Sunday night as Karl Malone had 30 points and 13 rebounds and Utah defeated the SuperSonics for the second time this season, 96-90, at Seattle.

Utah’s bench outscored Seattle’s, 44-22, as Antoine Carr had 13 points, Chris Morris 12 and rookie Shandon Anderson 11. Shawn Kemp had 29 points and 13 rebounds and Gary Payton had 18 points for the SuperSonics.

Utah controlled play throughout, leading by as many as 14 points in the first half. The SuperSonics got within two points twice in the second half, but the Jazz responded each time.

Detroit 95, Sacramento 66--The Pistons held the Kings to 16 points in each of the first three quarters and Grant Hill had 23 points and 14 rebounds at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Hill, who played only 31 minutes, had nine points in a 21-2 run that helped the Pistons to a 31-16 lead after the first quarter. The lead grew to 26 in the second quarter and 35 in the fourth quarter as the Pistons held the Kings to the second-lowest point total by a Detroit opponent.

The Kings had their second-lowest franchise point total in 40 years. Corliss Williamson led the Kings with 15. Grant Long added 15 points for Detroit.

Golden State 98, Portland 70--Latrell Sprewell scored 28 points and Joe Smith had 10 points and 11 rebounds as the Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers at San Jose.

Portland shot a season-low 30% after shooting 52% over their previous four games. Portland also tied its season low for points scored. The Trail Blazers also scored 70 against Cleveland on Nov. 13.

Portland missed its first eight shots of the game, and finished the first quarter hitting only 13% of its shots. At one point, the Trail Blazers missed 12 in a row.