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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- As the playoffs approach, the Utah Jazz might be developing a secret weapon: Olden Polynice.
|  | | Karl Malone powers past Rodney Rogers of the Suns for two of his 19 points. |
Karl Malone scored 19 points, reserve Armen Gilliam added 14 and
the inspired Polynice posted season highs with 12 points and 14
rebounds as the Jazz beat the Phoenix Suns 105-85 on Thursday
night.
"The opportunities were there and I took advantage of them," Polynice said. "That was it."
It was over when Utah outscored the Suns 27-12 in the third quarter. The Jazz extended a 50-45 halftime lead with a 13-4 run, scoring the first 10 points of the second half.
Utah stretched the advantage to 71-53 after scoring six straight
over a two-minute span as part of an 8-2 burst. And it was
Polynice, the 35-year-old NBA journeyman, who led the way with a
rare offensive highlight.
Polynice posted up, then faked a pass to get Corie Blount out of
position. That allowed him to drive the baseline for a dunk and a
67-51 lead.
"That's something I've been doing for a while," said Polynice,
who signed with the Jazz as a free agent before the season. "I
used to do it a lot when I was in Sacramento because the offense
ran through me in the high post.
"Lately I've been looking to do it a little more, and guys are
still biting," he added with a laugh. "I'm amazed. I've had guys
do it twice in one game."
Polynice, who came in averaging 5.5 points a game, also showed
off the defense that earned him a spot in Utah's starting lineup,
blocking Blount's layup attempt on the Suns' ensuing possession.
"Olden's done a terrific job for us this year," Jazz coach
Jerry Sloan said. "His free throws have been a question mark, but
... he's been able to go out on the floor and guard bigger guys and
smaller guys, which really helps."
Polynice also has been a good-natured presence in the Jazz
locker room all season, and his enthusiasm has carried over to the
court.
"He gives me a boost every night," guard John Stockton said.
"He's an energetic guy and he just brings life out on the floor."
Jeff Hornacek added 12 points and Bryon Russell had 11 for the
Jazz. Howard Eisley had a season-high 13 assists.
Penny Hardaway led Phoenix with 13 points and Kevin Johnson,
playing his third game since a one-year NBA layoff, scored 12.
Rodney Rogers added 11.
The Suns were flat coming out after halftime, showing the
effects of a schedule that has them playing once at home, a loss to
the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, during an eight-game stretch.
"It was a weak performance on our part," Suns coach Scott
Skiles said. "They were much better than us. We didn't have
energy. We were lost on defense, and they pretty much just carved
us up."
Phoenix trailed by as many as nine points throughout the first
half but came back to tie it at 45 with 1:09 before the break.
As the first half ended, the Jazz regained the momentum on a
fast-break dunk by Russell and a heave by Hornacek that touched
nothing but net 1.8 seconds before halftime.
Combined with the early third-quarter burst, it amounted to a
15-0 Utah run.
"You know what hurt us was probably the last 30 seconds of the
second quarter," Johnson said. "There was a five-point
turnaround. And the first 30 seconds of the third quarter, it was a
five-point swing."
Game notes
Malone had six rebounds, passing Charles Barkley (12,545)
for 14th place on the NBA's career list. Malone's career total is
12,547. ... Johnson, who dueled for years with Stockton, was
politely applauded during introductions. ... The Suns had been
involved in three straight one-point games, winning two. .... The
Jazz have beaten Phoenix 15 times in the last 20 meetings. ... Utah
held a 50-35 rebounding advantage.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Phoenix Clubhouse
Utah Clubhouse
RECAPS
Miami 76
Charlotte 70
New York 101
Washington 92
Chicago 90
Milwaukee 88
Dallas 116
Denver 115
Utah 105
Phoenix 85
Vancouver 89
Portland 87
Minnesota 112
LA Clippers 90
AUDIO/VIDEO
 A motivated Olden Polynice is excited about Utah's winning ways.
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