Jazz Wraps Up Busy Month on High Note

April is over, and the Utah Jazz can almost exhale. Almost.

The busiest month in Jazz history ended on a winning note Friday night as Utah held the Houston Rockets without a field goal for the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter in a 91-78 victory at Houston.

Next up is a game Sunday at San Antonio that will go a long way toward determining who ends up with the home-court advantage throughout the playoff.

It was the 19th game of the month for the Jazz and their fifth in six nights, and the victory was their 15th of April.

“It’s been the toughest set of basketball I’ve ever played,” said Karl Malone, who had 25 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

Hakeem Olajuwon, playing 43 minutes one night after sustaining a deep thigh bruise, led the Rockets with 28 points--only four of which came in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota 90, Golden State 85--Kevin Garnett, who finished with 28 points, scored 10 over the last 3 1/2 minutes, and the Timberwolves maintained a hold on a playoff berth by beating the Warriors at Minneapolis.

Seattle 111, Denver 101--The SuperSonics, trying desperately to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 1989-90, got 23 points and 14 assists from Gary Payton and 28 points from Detlef Schrempf and beat the Nuggets at Seattle.

Orlando 107, New Jersey 95--Nick Anderson made 14 of 19 shots on his way to 40 points, and the Magic, by beating the Nets at Orlando, Fla., continued its season-ending push for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Indiana 92, Atlanta 90--The Pacers, who had been struggling and couldn’t win close games, beat the Hawks at Atlanta for their second straight overtime victory.

Detroit 81, Milwaukee 76--The Bucks missed Glen Robinson in their loss to the Pistons at Milwaukee. Robinson, who suffered a strained knee ligament in the first quarter, returned briefly and then did not play in the second half. He will undergo an MRI today.

Charlotte 92, Chicago 88--The Hornets rebounded from an overtime loss to Indiana to beat the Bulls at Charlotte, N.C., and keep their playoff hopes alive. Elden Campbell and David Wesley each scored 19 points for the Hornets.

Cleveland 91, Toronto 83--The Raptors were defeated at Cleveland and are on the brink of elimination from playoff contention. They have lost four in a row.

Around the League

Greg Minor, Boston’s 6-foot-6 swingman, will sit out the rest of the season because of a hairline fracture in his right hip. The injury, suffered against Miami Thursday night, will not require surgery.