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The Jazz's win over the New Jersey Nets on Friday night wasn't the equivalent of pulling teeth.
It took more time. It was much more excruciating. In the end, however, the Jazz survived. Final score: 100-97.
But it wasn't official -- pun intended -- until Kenny Anderson's late layup dropped off the rim, Jeff Malone made two free throws and Derrick Coleman's wild three-point shot at the buzzer missed badly.
"We just can't seem to get an easy one," said John Stockton, who finished with 24 points and 15 assists in 35 minutes. "We play well in stretches, we open a lead and then let it evaporate."
Added Jeff Malone, who scored 20 points, "We get up by 10 and let teams back in the game. We've got to start burying people, especially in this building."
Afterward, both sides talked of the bizarrely officiated contest.
"I'm not going to belittle" the referees, said Anderson. "I'm not going to get fined. . . . But it was a home job."
In the first half, the Jazz seemed en route to an elusive easy victory.
Then they got in foul trouble. Felton Spencer and Karl Malone both picked up their third personals midway through the second quarter. The Nets, down as many as 11, rallied to a 49-49 tie at halftime behind a 22-8 edge in free throws.
"When all is said and done," noted Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, "we let them get inside and had to foul them. They were going wherever they wanted. We were too soft defensively."
The Nets stayed close throughout the second half. They even enjoyed a 95-92 lead with 3:12 left when Benoit Benjamin hit an improbable 12-footer.
It was, however, the Nets' last basket as the Jazz stayed in season-long character and played best when coming from behind.
Stockton scored four quick points, including a layup with two minutes left that gave Utah a 96-95 lead.
Benjamin then missed from the...