FORWARDS, A check for the Jazz: Just putting one checkmark doesn't give ample props to Karl Malone, who had a -- dare we say -- Jordanesque day. The Mailman was simply dominant, scoring a playoff-high 50 points with 12 boards. Vin Baker, meantime, was almost as bad as Malone was great.CENTERS, A check for the Jazz: Neither starting center -- Horace Grant and Olden Polynice -- did much to brag about. But a very active Greg Chamberlain, er, Ostertag turned in an inspired effort in the 2nd quarter, helping Utah grasp the lead. 'Tag tallied 10 rebounds, seven points and five blocks.
GUARDS, A check for the Sonics: Can we recast our votes for rookie of the year? Shammond Williams played like an all-star. He carried Seattle early and was hot all game en route to 23 points. Gary Payton needed 29 shots to get 24 points. John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek were slower but solid. Each had double-doubles in points and assists.
BENCHES, A check for the Jazz: Ostertag's performance alone gives the Jazz an edge off the bench. Howard Eisley also had a nice stretch in Utah's key 3rd-quarter run with back-to-back threes. Quincy Lewis came in and had four first-quarter points when he relieved Bryon Russell. Brent Barry gave Seattle a lift with his sweet outside touch, too.
COACHING, A check for the Jazz: The Jazz get the edge here if for no other reason than Paul Westphal comparing Ostertag to the late and great Wilt Chamberlain. Malone apparently approved of Jerry Sloan's game plan, and Sloan seemed to have the golden touch with every substitution he made.