An Unlikely Hero Helps Jazz Stop Rockets Again

In a game featuring names like Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley, it was Greg Ostertag who was the key in Sunday’s contest between Utah and Houston.

Ostertag had 11 points, five blocked shots and a season-high 15 rebounds as the Jazz defeated the Rockets, 85-76, at Salt Lake City, the Jazz’ eighth consecutive victory over the Rockets.

“I thought he did a very good job,” Olajuwon said of Ostertag. “This Utah team helps on defense very well, and [Ostertag] is a shot-blocker who plays his role very well.”

Utah’s starting frontcourt--Ostertag, Karl Malone and Bryon Russell--combined for 33 rebounds and limited the Rockets to a season-low three offensive boards--none in the first half. Ostertag, the NBA’s eighth-leading shot blocker, also matched his season-best in points.

“I get up for these big-name centers and try to have a big game,” Ostertag said. “I tried to be more active around the goal on both ends.”

Sacramento 91, Vancouver 88--Chris Webber scored 24 points and the Kings held off a fourth-quarter charge at Vancouver.

After trailing by 11 points with 10:39 left, the Grizzlies got as close as 90-88 with a little more than a minute left. But the Kings held on as Pete Chilcutt misfired on an off-balance three-point shot at the buzzer.

Miami 95, Milwaukee 92--Jamal Mashburn scored 25 points at Miami and the Heat won their fifth in row, helped by a mistake by Ray Allen and Haywoode Workman.

After Terry Porter made a free throw to give Miami a 95-92 lead with 11.4 seconds left, Allen and Workman both passed up the potential tying three-point baskets and missed on driving attempts.

Minnesota 88, Detroit 79--Joe Smith, wearing a flak jacket to protect his injured ribs, scored 14 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed 17 rebounds as the Timberwolves won at Minneapolis.

Smith scored seven in a row early in the fourth to help Minnesota preserve a double-digit lead and end their three-game losing streak.

Washington 105, Philadelphia 98--Rod Strickland scored 10 of his 19 points in the final quarter as the Wizards ended a five-game losing streak with a victory at Washington.

Allen Iverson, the NBA’s leading scorer, had 29 points after three quarters as the 76ers led by 11, but he missed his next four shots, committed three turnovers and scored only three points in the fourth quarter as the Wizards won for the first time in four games under Coach Jim Brovelli.

Boston 87, Chicago 81--A night after scoring a league record-low 49 points, the Bulls lost their fourth in a row despite scoring 32 more points than Saturday. Antoine Walker scored 16 of his 23 points in the second half as the Celtics posted only their second home victory in their last nine games.

New York 93, New Jersey 78--On the day New Jersey retired Buck Williams’ jersey, the Nets could have used him as Larry Johnson scored 22 points, Marcus Camby had 19 and Patrick Ewing 15 to give the Knicks their most lopsided road victory of the season. It was the Knicks’ first two-game road winning streak of the season.