Utah’s Malone Establishes Mark for Free Throws Made

When Karl Malone was a rookie, he failed to make half of his free throws.

Now in his 16th season, he has made more free throws than anyone else in NBA history.

“It’s one of those things I never imagined to accomplish as a player. I don’t really think about records like this but it’s pretty awesome,” Malone said Saturday after becoming the NBA career leader for free throws made in Utah’s 119-93 victory over the Washington Wizards at Salt Lake City.

Malone scored 15 points and reached the milestone when he converted a pair of foul shots with 10:48 remaining in the third quarter.

Malone, who has made 8,534 of 11,576 free throws, passed Moses Malone, who made 8,531 of 11,090.

“That’s quite an accomplishment on his part. I was here when he first started out . . . and he got better by working at it,” Utah Coach Jerry Sloan said.

Richard Hamilton scored 25 points for Washington, which has lost five of its last six games.

The Jazz charged to a 28-8 lead in the first eight minutes.

The Wizards trailed, 41-13, at the end of the first quarter.

Utah set season highs in first-quarter and first-half points.

The Jazz led, 70-40, at halftime.

Dallas 103, Charlotte 100--Michael Finley had 31 points and 10 rebounds, and Dirk Nowitzki added 27 points at Dallas, helping the Mavericks to end a two-game losing streak.

The victory could not have come at a better time, as Dallas opens a five-game trip Monday night in Utah that also includes games against Portland, the Lakers, Sacramento and Houston.

“To lose three in a row would have been disastrous,” said Steve Nash, who scored 22 points.

“Now, we’ve got to try to steal a few on the road. It’s going to be a very tough trip.”

David Wesley and Elden Campbell each had 25 points for Charlotte, which had been the league’s hottest team in winning 13 of 15 before Friday night’s overtime loss at Chicago and the loss to Dallas.

Seattle 93, Houston 90--Ruben Patterson scored 23 points, including the winning layup with 12.3 seconds left at Seattle.

It was the third loss in a row for the Rockets, who fell 3 1/2 games behind idle Minnesota in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Cleveland 117, Denver 105--Andre Miller had 24 points and 13 assist to lead seven Cavalier players in double figures at Cleveland.

Golden State 103, Detroit 95-- Antawn Jamison scored 34 points and Mookie Blaylock capped his triple-double by making the clinching jumper with 30 seconds left at Oakland.

The Warriors ended their 11-game losing streak.