Jazz Off-Key in Lethargic Loss at Toronto

Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors took advantage of the “bored” Utah Jazz.

Carter scored 33 points Tuesday and the Raptors held Karl Malone scoreless in the second half to defeat Utah, 103-95, at Toronto.

Malone, who played only 26 minutes, was held to 12 points and four rebounds. After missing his first three shots of the third quarter, Malone was benched for the remainder of the period. He played only four minutes in the fourth.

“People don’t pay to come watch the players look bored,” Utah Coach Jerry Sloan said after the Jazz’s second consecutive loss. “ . . . We looked sad to be here. I don’t care what names were out on the floor. I was looking for someone who wants to play. We came down and shot the ball like a cannon.”

Sloan benched John Stockton two minutes after he sat Malone. Stockton played only 10 minutes in the second half.

The Jazz could not overcome the Raptors’ mounting lead that had reached 20 points with 3:33 left in the third quarter.

Atlanta 87, New York 77--Lorenzen Wright, starting in place of the injured Alan Henderson, scored 20 points and had 12 rebounds at Atlanta.

The Knicks, who fell behind by 11 points in the second quarter, managed to get within 46-40 at the half. New York cut Atlanta’s lead to 48-44 early in the third on a shot by Glen Rice, but could not get closer.

San Antonio 86, Houston 79--Tim Duncan scored 25 points and had a game-high 15 rebounds at Houston to help the Spurs beat the Rockets for the ninth consecutive game.

The Spurs rallied and the Rockets couldn’t hold on after San Antonio built its biggest lead, 80-68, with 2:57 to play.

Indiana 90, Chicago 85--Reggie Miller scored 15 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and Jermaine O’Neal made two free throws and blocked a shot in the final 29 seconds to lead the Pacers at Chicago.

Detroit 89, Phoenix 84--Jerry Stackhouse, had 35 points--including 13 in the decisive third quarter--as the Pistons handed the Suns their third loss in a row at Phoenix.

Stackhouse made 11 of 12 free throws, including two for the victory with 12.1 seconds to play.

Sacramento 106, Washington 72-- Chris Webber had 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Kings to their seventh consecutive home victory and the top record in the Western Conference (17-6).

Golden State 120, Minnesota 99--Rookie Marc Jackson scored a career-high 31 points and helped end a five-game losing streak at Oakland.

Antawn Jamison added 26 points for the Warriors, who had six players reach double figures, including all five starters.