Jazz Overcomes Inspired Effort

With three starters suspended, the Houston Rockets could have rolled over Monday night. Instead, they gave the Utah Jazz a scare.

The Jazz, however, won its seventh consecutive game on Monday night, coming from behind in the fourth quarter to defeat the Rockets, 100-93, at Salt Lake City.

The Rockets played without Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin Willis and Mario Elie, all suspended for their part in a fight Saturday at Phoenix.

Utah weathered a phenomenal 37-point performance by Eddie Johnson, 38, who made nine straight shots at one point. But the Jazz held Johnson to two points in the fourth quarter and rallied for its first victory this season after trailing entering the fourth quarter (1-13).

John Stockton scored six points in the game’s final three minutes as the Jazz recovered from a nine-point deficit early in the fourth quarter.

Karl Malone led the Jazz with 29 points, a season-high 21 rebounds and six assists. Utah swept the season series from its division rival.

The Jazz have won 16 of its last 18 games and are matching the pace it set last season on the way to the Western Conference’s best record.

“The most important thing is that we’re winning,” Malone said. “Eddie’s a great player, but we had the better team tonight.”

Golden State 93, Sacramento 88--Erick Dampier scored 22 points and Donyell Marshall had 21 as the Warriors scored the game’s final seven points in defeating the Kings at Sacramento.

The victory broke a nine-game losing streak at Arco Arena for the Warriors, who made seven free throws in the final 1:30 for the comeback win.

Trailing by two points, Jimmy Jackson made two free throws to tie the game, 88-88. Todd Fuller followed with a free throw at 1:02 as Golden State went ahead for good.

Muggsy Bogues then made two in a row from the line with 13.6 remaining. After Mitch Richmond missed a three-point shot, Marshall was fouled. He made two free throws for the final score.

Corliss Williamson led the Kings with 27 points.

Orlando 88, Philadelphia 78--Nick Anderson had 22 points and eight rebounds to lead the Magic to victory at Philadelphia.

Allen Iverson had 19 points and seven rebounds for Philadelphia, which had won its previous two home games.

Philadelphia also was without Derrick Coleman, who sprained his left ankle in a loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday. He was placed on the injured list and will miss five games.