Karl Malone made 10 free throws in the fourth quarter, including a pair that snapped a tie with 25 seconds left, as the Utah Jazz posted an 83-79 victory over the stubborn Houston Rockets, who could not overcome the ejection of Steve Francis.
The Jazz (19-16), who have won three straight and seven of their last eight, moved three games over .500 for the first time this season.
"It was a tough game and we are always pleased with a victory," said Jazz guard John Stockton, who scored 19 points. "I think we have a little more confidence coming down the stretch."
 Karl Malone made 11 field goals on the night, but all 10 of his fourth-quarter points came from the foul line. Kent Horner /NBAE/Getty Images |
After scoring 27 points in the first half, Francis was ejected just 2:12 into the third quarter for throwing an elbow at Stockton.
"It was just unfortunate that it had to happen like that," Francis said. "Good players just fight through stuff like that. That's why I displayed that I'm a good basketball player and just walked off the court without any problems."
The Rockets did not fold without their talented guard and stayed in the game in the second half, tying the contest, 79-79, on Cuttino Mobley's jumper with 39 seconds left. Mobley finished with 19 points.
But Malone's two free throws put the Jazz up for good. Houston's Moochie Norris front-rimmed a 20-footer with eight seconds left and Utah's Andrei Kirilenko hit two foul shots a second later to clinch the victory.
"It was a competitive game that could have gone either way," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "I was proud of the way our guys didn't give up. If we were in a horseshoes tournament we would have been pretty good because we were close, but we ain't playing horseshoes."
With Francis scoring more than 50 percent of their total offensive ouput, the Rockets managed a 49-45 lead at the intermission.
"I thought in the first half we were able to do what we set out to do early, trying to neutralize Karl Malone," Francis said. "I thought we did a great job of stopping him and also I was fortunate enough to knock down some shots."
"He had 27 points at halftime and looked like he was going for 60," Utah coach Jerry Sloan added.
The Jazz took advantage of Francis' absence to allow just nine points in the third quarter and took a 66-58 lead into the final period.
But the Rockets responded. After Malone made a pair from the line to make it 68-58, the Rockets responded with a 19-4 burst.
Eddie Griffin's 3-pointer gave Houston a 73-72 lead with 5:52 to go and Norris' jumper and Mobley's dunk extended the advantage to 77-72 with 4:37 to play.
But Houston went scoreless for nearly four minutes and the Jazz tied the contest, 77-77, on Malone's jumper with 3:07 remaining.
Scott Padgett contributed 11 points off the bench for the Jazz, who have won 17 of their last 19 meetings against the Rockets.
"I think we showed a lot of character coming back (from the five-point deficit," Utah reserve John Crotty said. "I think in past games earlier in the year, we might have lost."
Malone was held to 10 points in the first half. He scored eight in the third quarter and 12 in the final period.
"I'm glad we played well down the stretch," Utah forward Bryon Russell said. "Now we are on what you would call a winning streak."