With three games left in the regular season, the Jazz seem to have broken out out of the doldrums. After Monday night's 39-point win over Golden State, their winning streak stands at four. Barring an attack of bone-headedness, the Jazz could enter the playoffs on a seven-game win streak.
The final week of the season continues Wednesday with a 7:30 home game against the Houston Rockets. Although the Rockets were considered to be a contender at the season's start, things never developed. Recent contention between superstar Hakeem Olajuwon and management helped reduced the Rockets to a team struggling to make the playoffs.Houston is 5-6 in its last 11 games, but came away with a Tuesday night win over Portland. However, the Blazers were playing without All-Star Clyde Drexler, who sat out with a sprained knee. The win moved Houston 11/2 games ahead of the Lakers in the race for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.
The Rockets' latest problem arose in late March when Olajuwon developed an injured hamstring and said he couldn't play - despite getting medical clearance. Olajuwon was suspended without pay and a Rockets official accused him of faking the injury to gain leverage for a contract renegotiation.
The controversy went on for several days. Though Olajuwon eventually returned, he did so angrily, accusing G.M. Steve Patterson of being "stupid" and requesting a trade after the season.
Meanwhile, the Jazz are coming off the rousing win over the Warriors on Monday. But asked if his team is back in a groove, coach Jerry Sloan replied, "You've gotta ask these guys. That's why I go crazy. I think they like to play with my mind."
Karl Malone had no such reservations. Are the Jazz playing as well as they did earlier in the year? "Close. Awful close right now," he said. "When we play like we can play, we can beat anybody. And we're finally starting to get that back. We lost it for awhile, but we're starting to get it back."
If the Jazz win their three remaining games they will clinch the home court advantage in the playoffs until the Western Conference Finals.
The Jazz placed 6-foot-10 center Isaac Austin on the injured list Monday and added 6-10, 225-pound Bob Thornton, a six-year NBA veteran.
Thornton, who has played in Spain and for the Knicks, Sixers and Timberwolves, most recently played for Cino Assic Siena of Italy, where he averaged 13 points and nine rebounds a game. He will be signed to a contract through the remainder of the season, pending the passing of the team physical.
Thornton's NBA average is 3.1 points and 21/2 rebounds a game. He averaged 9.6 points a game in three seasons at Cal-Irvine in college and was drafted in the fourth round (87th pick) in the 1984 NBA Draft.
Guard Delaney Rudd sat out the Jazz's Wednesday practice, resting his sore leg. Officially, Rudd has patella tendinitis. He is expected to be ready for Wednesday's game against the Rockets . . . Jazz guard Jeff Malone's free throw streak stands at 37 . . . Karl Malone's 20-of-24 free throw effort Monday against Golden State set NBA season highs in both attempts and free throws made . . . Houston guard Kenny Smith did not play in the Rockets' game Saturday due to an ankle injury, but returned to score 10 points Tuesday against Portland. Forward John Turner is on the five-game IL and out indefinitely.