For all their problems, the Ewings of South Fork never saw anything like the Dallas Mavericks. Nobody knows the trouble they've seen. Injuries have befallen them like a plague from Egypt. Discontent and frustration are lurking at every turn. Even their own players are getting booed at home.

Saturday night at Reunion Arena, the hapless, helpless, short-handed, truly bedeviled Mavericks stayed with the Jazz for two quarters before finally giving out. Karl Malone scored 21 second-half points as the Jazz took an easy 104-90 win.The last vestiges of order are peeling quickly away in Dallas these days, the problems almost too numerous to name. Roy Tarpley, the team's hope of the future, was gone before the year began after violating the league's drug policy. Players are fighting among themselves. How long Coach Richie Adubato will last is a constant question.

It's hard not to feel sorry for the Mavericks. Guard Fat Lever injured his knee last week and will be out for the season. Center James Donaldson drew a suspension - which he is protesting - for fighting with teammates Derek Harper and Rolando Blackman in practice. He was subsequently booed during introductions on Saturday.

Friday, the final (well, OK, latest) blow fell, when Randy White (ankle) and Doug Smith (hand) were injured. Rodney McCray sat out Saturday's game with a sore knee and Brad Davis watched in street clothes, nursing a bad back.

When the casualty count was complete, the Mavericks had only eight players dressed to play.

Dallas' ongoing soap opera naturally drew only partial sympathy from the Jazz, who are struggling to maintain their lead over San Antonio in the Midwest Division. "I really don't care," said Jazz forward Karl Malone. "If we were wounded, they would still play, too. We'll take any win we can. I hope they get better, but I'm glad they're going to get better after we leave."

There is some doubt the Mavericks will get better at all. Saturday's loss was their 16th in the last 17 games, dating back to Dec. 23.

Nobody is denying that the Mavericks have shipwrecked with little chance of being saved this season. "Who put a curse on this team?" guard Derek Harper said to the Dallas Morning News. "It's got to be a curse we're under, because this is unbelievable."

Not nearly as unbelievable as the predicament the Jazz found themselves in as the first half closed in. The Mailman, coming off a 43-point night against Phoenix, had only five points and made only two of seven shots. Mike Brown was 1-for-5.

While the Jazz flat-footedly stood around waiting for Providence to intervene, the Mavericks remained close. They shot 51 percent for the half and effectively kept the Jazz from scoring inside.

"I was very concerned," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "I watched them warm up and with guys that don't get in games often, you see their energy level picking up."

The result was that rookies Donald Hodge and Mike Iuzzolino had 10 points between them before the break, and the Jazz were clinging to a 44-41 lead.

Commendable as the younger Mavericks' energy was, it almost got Iuzzolino in trouble. The Jazz began to establish themselves early in the second half, scoring four quick dunks as the undermanned Mavericks wore steadily down. With Utah leading 66-53, Dallas forward Terry Davis went inside and was pulled down by Malone. A two-shot foul was called.

As the play ended, Iuzzolino walked quickly toward the Mailman, appearing to be a headed on a suicide mission. He and Malone exchanged words, but moments later Malone smiled and put his hand agreeably on the 5-11, 175-pound Iuzzolino's head.

"I figured if the guys see me willing to challenge players like Malone and Eaton, it might spark them and the fans," Iuzzolino explained. "I'm a winner and we've been losing a bunch of games, and at this point I'd be willing to do anything to help this team win - even get hit. Besides, (Dr. J. Pat Evans) would stitch me up."

The good doctor, though, is busy doing all he can to keep the other Mavericks pieced together.

By the end of the third period, the game was out of reach. The Mailman's 15 points and six rebounds in the quarter being more than any of the eight healthy Mavericks - all eight Mavericks - could handle. The lead got to 15 points, narrowed to nine in the fourth quarter and ballooned to 20 before the final horn.

Malone finished with 26, while Blue Edwards added 23. Top Dallas scorer was Davis with 19.

The win moved the Jazz all-time record to above .500 for the first time in history (516-515). It also put the Jazz in a good frame of mind for Monday's match in the Delta Center against the World Champion Chicago Bulls.

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Meanwhile, Dallas departs on a road swing that begins with a contest against Sacramento.

"I can understand their frustration, playing when all your guys are hurt and you know that you can be a better team," said Jazz guard John Stockton, who finished with a game-high 13 assists. "Yeah, I can feel sorry for them."

Better than feeling sorry for yourself.

GAME NOTES: Eric Murdock played nine minutes and Delaney Rudd six at backup guard spot. "It's a tough situation we're struggling with," said Sloan. "Both deserve to play. Delaney has experience and we need to see Eric play a little more." . . . Stockton needs 23 assists to become the No. 7 assist man in NBA history.

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