NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1997–98 NBA season was the Jazz's 24th season in the National Basketball Association , and 19th season in Salt Lake City, Utah .[ 1] The Jazz entered the season as runner-ups in the 1997 NBA Finals , where they lost to the Chicago Bulls in six games. During the off-season, All-Star guard John Stockton sustained a knee injury and missed the first 18 games of the season,[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] as the Jazz slowly got off to an 11–7 start after losing three of their first four games. The team also changed their starting lineup, replacing Bryon Russell at small forward with Adam Keefe , and replacing Greg Ostertag at center with Greg Foster .[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] However, Stockton would eventually return as the Jazz held a 31–15 record at the All-Star break.[ 9]
At midseason, the team traded Foster and Chris Morris to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Rony Seikaly in an effort to bolster the team's depth.[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13] However, Seikaly refused to report within the mandated 48 hours required by NBA rules. From there, the trade was called off, and the Jazz took Foster and Morris back. Rumors had it that Seikaly was out with a serious foot injury; however, Seikaly insisted the Jazz torpedoed the deal and that he wanted to play for them; however, Seikaly's refusal to report effectively killed the deal.[ 14] [ 15] [ 16] [ 17] After the trade was off, Orlando pivoted and traded Seikaly to the New Jersey Nets ,[ 18] [ 19] [ 20] [ 21] where he would play a total of 18 games over the next 1 1/2 seasons before retiring from the NBA.[ 22] The Jazz won 31 of their final 36 games after the All-Star break, including an 11-game winning streak between February and March, finishing first place in the Midwest Division with a 62–20 record.[ 23] They made their fifteenth consecutive trip to the playoffs.[ 24]
The Jazz's top scorer Karl Malone , who averaged 27.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, was part of a Jazz offense that had two other players, Stockton and Jeff Hornacek , averaging double-digits in points. Malone was the only member of the team to play in the 1998 NBA All-Star Game ,[ 25] [ 26] [ 27] [ 28] [ 29] [ 30] while being named to the All-NBA First Team, and NBA All-Defensive First Team, and also finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting behind Michael Jordan .[ 31] [ 32] [ 33] In addition, Hornacek averaged 14.2 points and 1.4 steals per game, while Stockton provided the team with 12.0 points, 8.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 64 games, and Russell played a sixth man role, averaging 9.0 points per game off the bench. Second-year guard Shandon Anderson contributed 8.3 points per game off the bench, while Keefe averaged 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and Howard Eisley provided with 7.7 points and 4.2 assists per game. On the defensive side, Foster averaged 5.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, and Ostertag contributed 5.9 rebounds, and led the team with 2.1 blocks per game.[ 34] Hornacek also won the Three-Point Shootout during the All-Star Weekend in New York City, New York ,[ 35] [ 36] [ 37] and head coach Jerry Sloan finished in second place in Coach of the Year voting.[ 38] [ 39]
In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs , the Jazz trailed 2–1 to the 8th-seeded Houston Rockets ,[ 40] [ 41] [ 42] but managed to win the series in five games.[ 43] [ 44] [ 45] [ 46] In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games.[ 47] [ 48] [ 49] [ 50] After that, the Jazz swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals in four straight games to advance to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year,[ 51] [ 52] [ 53] [ 54] and once again, met the Chicago Bulls in a rematch of last year's NBA Finals , in which they lost to the Bulls in six games, just like last year's NBA Finals.[ 55] [ 56] [ 57] [ 58] [ 59] Following the season, Antoine Carr signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets ,[ 60] and Morris signed with the Phoenix Suns .[ 61]
This was the last season the Jazz earned the top seed in the league and in the conference until the 2020–21 season .
The Jazz used two picks; a first-round pick on point guard Jacque Vaughn and a second round pick on Nate Erdmann . Vaughn would play with the team for four seasons before going to the Atlanta Hawks and Erdmann was cut from the team right before regular season, therefore signing with Idaho Stampede in the CBA .
1997–98 Utah Jazz roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
G
40
Anderson, Shandon
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
208 lb (94 kg)
1973–12–31
Georgia
F
55
Carr, Antoine
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1961–07–23
Wichita State
G
10
Eisley, Howard
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
177 lb (80 kg)
1972–12–04
Boston College
C
44
Foster, Greg
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1968–10–03
UTEP
G
14
Hornacek, Jeff
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1963–05–03
Iowa State
F/C
31
Keefe, Adam
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1970–02–22
Stanford
F
32
Malone, Karl
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
1963–07–24
Louisiana Tech
F
34
Morris, Chris
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1966–01–20
Auburn
C
00
Ostertag, Greg
7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
280 lb (127 kg)
1973–03–06
Kansas
F
3
Russell, Bryon
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1970–12–31
Long Beach State
G
12
Stockton, John
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1962–03–26
Gonzaga
G
11
Vaughn, Jacque
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1975–02–11
Kansas
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Last transaction: February 14, 1998
Rookie point guard Troy Hudson was waived on December 28.
Player
Salary
Karl Malone
$5,118,578
John Stockton
$5,000,000
Jeff Hornacek
$4,195,000
Chris Morris
$3,000,000
Bryon Russell
$2,857,144
Adam Keefe
$2,300,000
Antoine Carr
$1,600,000
Howard Eisley
$1,240,000
Shandon Anderson
$1,200,000
Greg Ostertag
$647,400
Jacque Vaughn
$601,320
Greg Foster
$504,000
Troy Hudson
$242,000
Total
$27,305,442
[ 63]
Record vs. opponents [ edit ]
1997-98 NBA Records
Team
ATL
BOS
CHA
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
LAC
LAL
MIA
MIL
MIN
NJN
NYK
ORL
PHI
PHX
POR
SAC
SAS
SEA
TOR
UTA
VAN
WAS
Atlanta
—
2–1
4–0
1–3
4–0
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–0
0–2
1–3
3–1
0–2
1–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
4–0
Boston
1–2
—
1–2
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
0–4
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–2
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–0
0–2
2–0
3–2
Charlotte
0–4
2–1
—
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
2–2
1–3
3–1
2–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
Chicago
3–1
3–1
3–1
—
2–2
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–1
4–0
1–1
4–0
4–0
3–1
2–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
3–1
Cleveland
0–4
3–1
2–2
2–2
—
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–2
2–0
3–1
1–2
2–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
2–0
1–2
Dallas
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
—
3–1
0–2
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–3
0–4
0–2
0–2
2–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–4
0–4
0–4
2–2
1–1
0–4
4–0
1–1
Denver
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–3
—
0–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
2–2
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
2–2
1–3
0–4
0–4
0–2
0–4
1–3
1–1
Detroit
2–2
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–0
2–0
—
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–0
0–2
1–2
2–2
0–2
2–2
2–2
1–2
3–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
4–0
0–2
0–2
2–2
Golden State
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
3–1
3–1
0–2
—
1–3
0–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–4
1–3
2–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
0–4
1–3
0–2
Houston
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
4–0
4–0
1–1
3–1
—
1–1
4–0
1–3
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–3
4–0
2–2
1–3
2–0
0–4
3–1
1–1
Indiana
3–1
4–0
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
—
2–0
0–2
3–1
4–0
2–0
2–1
2–1
3–1
4–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
4–0
L.A. Clippers
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
3–1
2–2
0–2
3–1
0–4
0–2
—
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–4
3–1
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–3
1–3
0–2
L.A. Lakers
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
4–0
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
4–0
—
1–1
2–0
4–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–2
4–0
4–0
1–3
2–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
Miami
3–1
4–0
1–3
1–2
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–1
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
—
3–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
0–2
0–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
Milwaukee
1–3
2–2
1–3
0–4
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–0
0–2
1–3
—
1–1
0–4
3–1
2–1
2–2
0–2
2–0
2–0
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
1–1
1–2
Minnesota
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–2
3–1
2–0
4–0
3–1
0–2
4–0
0–4
1–1
1–1
—
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
1–3
3–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–3
4–0
0–2
New Jersey
2–1
2–2
2–2
0–4
1–3
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
4–0
0–2
—
2–2
3–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
3–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
New York
2–2
2–2
3–1
0–4
2–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–2
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–3
1–1
2–2
—
4–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
Orlando
2–2
2–2
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–1
1–1
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–2
2–0
1–3
0–4
—
4–0
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
Philadelphia
1–3
1–3
1–2
1–2
1–3
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
0–4
1–1
2–0
0–4
2–2
0–2
1–3
2–2
0–4
—
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
0–2
2–0
3–1
Phoenix
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
4–0
4–0
1–1
4–0
3–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
—
2–2
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–0
1–3
4–0
1–1
Portland
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
3–1
3–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–2
—
3–1
2–2
0–4
2–0
3–1
2–2
1–1
Sacramento
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
4–0
3–1
1–1
2–2
0–4
0–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–3
—
0–4
1–3
1–1
2–2
2–2
1–1
San Antonio
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
4–0
4–0
1–1
3–1
2–2
2–0
3–1
0–4
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–2
4–0
—
2–2
2–0
1–3
4–0
1–1
Seattle
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
4–0
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
4–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
4–0
3–1
2–2
—
2–0
2–2
4–0
1–1
Toronto
0–4
0–3
0–4
0–4
1–3
1–1
2–0
0–4
2–0
0–2
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–4
1–3
1–1
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
—
0–2
1–1
0–3
Utah
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
4–0
2–0
4–0
4–0
1–1
3–1
1–3
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–0
—
4–0
0–2
Vancouver
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
3–1
2–0
3–1
1–3
0–2
3–1
0–4
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
2–2
2–2
0–4
0–4
1–1
0–4
—
1–1
Washington
0–4
2–3
2–2
1–3
2–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–1
2–0
3–1
3–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–0
2–0
1–1
—
1997–98 game log Total: 62–20 (home: 36–5; road: 26–15)
October: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
November: 9–5 (home: 6–2; road: 3–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
2
November 1
Denver
W 102–84
Karl Malone (24)
Greg Ostertag (11)
Eisley , Hornacek (6)
Delta Center 19,911
1–1
3
November 3
Washington
L 86–90
Karl Malone (21)
Karl Malone (16)
Hornacek , Vaughn (6)
Delta Center 19,911
1–2
4
November 4
@ Phoenix
L 84–106
Karl Malone (22)
Malone , Ostertag (11)
Jeff Hornacek (4)
America West Arena 19,023
1–3
5
November 7
@ Denver
W 91–89
Karl Malone (20)
Karl Malone (11)
Howard Eisley (6)
McNichols Sports Arena 10,317
2–3
6
November 8
@ San Antonio
L 80–87
Karl Malone (26)
Hornacek , Malone (7)
Howard Eisley (6)
Alamodome 19,100
2–4
7
November 12
Vancouver
W 98–90
Karl Malone (26)
Keefe , Ostertag (9)
Howard Eisley (10)
Delta Center 19,851
3–4
8
November 14
Seattle
W 110–104
Hornacek , Malone (23)
Karl Malone (12)
Howard Eisley (6)
Delta Center 19,830
4–4
9
November 15
@ Dallas
W 85–77
Karl Malone (26)
Karl Malone (10)
Jeff Hornacek (10)
Reunion Arena 14,323
5–4
10
November 18
L.A. Lakers
L 92–97
Karl Malone (26)
Karl Malone (9)
Howard Eisley (7)
Delta Center 19,911
5–5
11
November 20
@ Sacramento
L 95–97
Karl Malone (32)
Karl Malone (9)
Howard Eisley (8)
ARCO Arena 14,648
5–6
12
November 22
San Antonio
W 103–74
Karl Malone (20)
Karl Malone (11)
Hornacek , Malone (7)
Delta Center 19,911
6–6
13
November 24
Minnesota
W 133–124 (OT)
Karl Malone (33)
Foster , Malone (9)
Howard Eisley (10)
Delta Center 19,911
7–6
14
November 28
Golden State
W 111–82
Karl Malone (21)
Greg Ostertag (10)
Jacque Vaughn (8)
Delta Center 19,911
8–6
15
November 29
@ L.A. Clippers
W 94–91
Karl Malone (42)
Karl Malone (18)
Jeff Hornacek (7)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 14,956
9–6
December: 10–5 (home: 5–1; road: 5–4)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
16
December 1
New Jersey
W 100–95
Karl Malone (19)
Karl Malone (14)
Howard Eisley (7)
Delta Center 19,911
10–6
17
December 3
Toronto
W 115–98
Karl Malone (23)
Karl Malone (15)
Eisley , Hornacek (8)
Delta Center 19,590
11–6
18
December 5
@ Portland
L 77–94
Karl Malone (24)
Karl Malone (12)
Jeff Hornacek (8)
Rose Garden Arena 19,545
11–7
19
December 8
Indiana
W 106–97
Karl Malone (31)
Greg Ostertag (9)
John Stockton (7)
Delta Center 19,911
12–7
20
December 9
@ Sacramento
L 101–113
Karl Malone (34)
Karl Malone (10)
John Stockton (5)
ARCO Arena 13,624
12–8
21
December 12
Dallas
W 68–66
Karl Malone (23)
Adam Keefe (11)
Malone , Stockton (4)
Delta Center 19,911
13–8
22
December 15
@ Washington
L 86–88
Karl Malone (26)
Karl Malone (13)
Eisley , Malone (6)
MCI Center 18,756
13–9
23
December 16
@ Miami
W 103–95
Karl Malone (29)
Antoine Carr (7)
Howard Eisley (6)
Miami Arena 15,200
14–9
24
December 18
@ Orlando
W 85–73
Karl Malone (30)
Greg Ostertag (10)
Malone , Stockton (5)
Orlando Arena 17,258
15–9
25
December 21
@ Cleveland
L 101–106
Karl Malone (24)
Karl Malone (13)
Hornacek , Stockton (6)
Gund Arena 19,178
15–10
26
December 22
@ Atlanta
W 101–99
Karl Malone (27)
Adam Keefe (10)
John Stockton (8)
Georgia Dome 28,371
16–10
27
December 25
Houston
W 107–103
John Stockton (24)
Karl Malone (10)
Jeff Hornacek (9)
Delta Center 19,911
17–10
28
December 27
Portland
L 91–102
Karl Malone (24)
Karl Malone (11)
John Stockton (9)
Delta Center 19,911
17–11
29
December 28
@ Vancouver
W 89–88
Karl Malone (26)
Karl Malone (13)
John Stockton (7)
General Motors Place 16,488
18–11
30
December 30
@ Denver
W 132–99
Greg Ostertag (21)
Karl Malone (10)
John Stockton (9)
McNichols Sports Arena 14,230
19–11
January: 10–3 (home: 8–1; road: 2–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
31
January 3
Atlanta
W 97–82
Karl Malone (20)
Greg Ostertag (10)
John Stockton (12)
Delta Center 19,911
20–11
32
January 6
Philadelphia
W 98–95 (OT)
Hornacek , Malone (21)
Greg Ostertag (9)
John Stockton (14)
Delta Center 19,911
21–11
33
January 8
Milwaukee
W 116–109
Karl Malone (39)
Greg Ostertag (10)
John Stockton (13)
Delta Center 19,911
22–11
34
January 10
@ Houston
W 111–84
Karl Malone (24)
Karl Malone (9)
Anderson , Eisley (7)
The Summit 16,285
23–11
35
January 12
Cleveland
W 106–99
Jeff Hornacek (23)
Karl Malone (11)
John Stockton (12)
Delta Center 19,911
24–11
36
January 16
@ Portland
L 86–96
Karl Malone (23)
Karl Malone (15)
John Stockton (6)
Rose Garden Arena 21,538
24–12
37
January 17
Orlando
W 107–93
Karl Malone (32)
Keefe , Malone (9)
John Stockton (10)
Delta Center 19,911
25–12
38
January 19
Detroit
W 98–89
Karl Malone (30)
Karl Malone (15)
John Stockton (13)
Delta Center 19,911
26–12
39
January 21
Golden State
W 98–85
Karl Malone (27)
Adam Keefe (8)
John Stockton (13)
Delta Center 19,911
27–12
40
January 23
@ Indiana
L 102–106
Karl Malone (26)
Greg Ostertag (11)
John Stockton (11)
Market Square Arena 16,670
27–13
41
January 25
@ Chicago
W 101–94
Karl Malone (35)
Karl Malone (11)
John Stockton (10)
United Center 24,361
28–13
42
January 28
Seattle
L 93–101
Karl Malone (27)
Karl Malone (15)
John Stockton (14)
Delta Center 19,911
28–14
43
January 30
Dallas
W 104–94
Karl Malone (29)
Greg Ostertag (12)
Eisley , Stockton (10)
Delta Center 19,911
29–14
February: 9–2 (home: 6–1; road: 3–1)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
44
February 1
@ Golden State
W 115–88
Karl Malone (20)
Karl Malone (8)
Karl Malone (9)
The Arena In Oakland 11,269
30–14
45
February 3
@ L.A. Clippers
L 102–111
Karl Malone (23)
Karl Malone (7)
John Stockton (10)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 13,553
30–15
46
February 4
Chicago
W 101–93
Karl Malone (30)
Karl Malone (8)
John Stockton (18)
Delta Center 19,911
31–15
47
February 10
L.A. Clippers
W 106–98
Karl Malone (29)
Karl Malone (14)
John Stockton (10)
Delta Center 19,911
32–15
48
February 12
Boston
W 118–100
Karl Malone (31)
Karl Malone (12)
Howard Eisley (10)
Delta Center 19,911
33–15
49
February 14
@ Seattle
W 111–91
Karl Malone (34)
Karl Malone (8)
John Stockton (12)
KeyArena 17,072
34–15
50
February 16
Charlotte
W 96–90
Karl Malone (23)
Adam Keefe (12)
John Stockton (9)
Delta Center 19,911
35–15
51
February 18
New York
W 94–78
Karl Malone (25)
Adam Keefe (12)
Jeff Hornacek (6)
Delta Center 19,911
36–15
52
February 21
@ San Antonio
W 79–77
Karl Malone (24)
Karl Malone (13)
John Stockton (6)
Alamodome 26,572
37–15
53
February 24
Miami
L 102–104
Karl Malone (26)
Karl Malone (11)
John Stockton (10)
Delta Center 19,911
37–16
54
February 26
Phoenix
W 108–97
Karl Malone (28)
Karl Malone (17)
Howard Eisley (10)
Delta Center 19,911
38–16
March: 15–2 (home: 5–0; road: 10–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
55
March 1
@ Houston
W 106–100
Karl Malone (21)
Karl Malone (9)
John Stockton (14)
The Summit 16,285
39–16
56
March 3
@ Toronto
W 108–93
Shandon Anderson (26)
Karl Malone (10)
John Stockton (11)
SkyDome 16,448
40–16
57
March 4
@ Boston
W 110–94
Karl Malone (32)
Karl Malone (15)
John Stockton (9)
FleetCenter 18,624
41–16
58
March 6
@ New Jersey
W 122–115
Karl Malone (32)
Karl Malone (12)
John Stockton (9)
Continental Airlines Arena 20,049
42–16
59
March 7
@ Milwaukee
W 110–92
Karl Malone (40)
Karl Malone (8)
John Stockton (7)
Bradley Center 18,717
43–16
60
March 9
Houston
W 100–93
Karl Malone (29)
Karl Malone (21)
Karl Malone (6)
Delta Center 19,911
44–16
61
March 11
Sacramento
W 110–95
Karl Malone (25)
Karl Malone (9)
Karl Malone (9)
Delta Center 19,911
45–16
62
March 13
Vancouver
W 110–101
Karl Malone (30)
Adam Keefe (11)
John Stockton (11)
Delta Center 19,911
46–16
63
March 15
@ Detroit
W 109–98
Karl Malone (28)
Karl Malone (9)
Eisley , Stockton (7)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
47–16
64
March 16
@ Minnesota
W 102–96
Karl Malone (29)
Greg Foster (10)
three players tied (8)
Target Center 17,333
48–16
65
March 18
@ Charlotte
L 85–111
Karl Malone (17)
Malone , Russell (9)
John Stockton (7)
Charlotte Coliseum 23,305
48–17
66
March 20
@ Philadelphia
W 91–79
Karl Malone (23)
Karl Malone (16)
Howard Eisley (7)
CoreStates Center 20,832
49–17
67
March 22
@ New York
W 124–119 (2OT)
Karl Malone (30)
Karl Malone (14)
John Stockton (14)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
50–17
68
March 24
Phoenix
W 92–73
Karl Malone (19)
Greg Foster (15)
John Stockton (11)
Delta Center 19,911
51–17
69
March 27
@ Dallas
W 99–90
Karl Malone (33)
Karl Malone (14)
Jeff Hornacek (8)
Reunion Arena 13,763
52–17
70
March 28
L.A. Lakers
W 106–91
Karl Malone (31)
Keefe , Malone (8)
John Stockton (9)
Delta Center 19,911
53–17
71
March 31
@ Seattle
L 86–88
Karl Malone (20)
Karl Malone (10)
Jeff Hornacek (7)
KeyArena 17,072
53–18
April: 9–2 (home: 6–0; road: 3–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
72
April 1
Portland
W 98–89
Jeff Hornacek (31)
Greg Ostertag (9)
John Stockton (9)
Delta Center 19,911
54–18
73
April 3
Denver
W 97–75
Karl Malone (22)
Greg Ostertag (8)
Howard Eisley (9)
Delta Center 19,911
55–18
74
April 5
@ Vancouver
W 99–93
Karl Malone (25)
Greg Ostertag (9)
John Stockton (8)
General Motors Place 18,068
56–18
75
April 7
@ Golden State
W 101–99
Karl Malone (56)
Foster , Malone (9)
John Stockton (14)
The Arena In Oakland 14,430
57–18
76
April 8
San Antonio
W 98–88
Karl Malone (32)
Karl Malone (10)
John Stockton (9)
Delta Center 19,911
58–18
77
April 10
L.A. Clippers
W 126–109
Jeff Hornacek (23)
Greg Foster (10)
Jeff Hornacek (6)
Delta Center 19,911
59–18
78
April 11
@ Minnesota
L 103–110
Karl Malone (37)
Karl Malone (12)
Jeff Hornacek (8)
Target Center 20,051
59–19
79
April 14
Minnesota
W 126–109
Karl Malone (44)
Karl Malone (14)
Malone , Stockton (6)
Delta Center 19,911
60–19
80
April 16
Sacramento
W 99–86
Karl Malone (21)
Karl Malone (8)
Jeff Hornacek (11)
Delta Center 19,911
61–19
81
April 17
@ Phoenix
W 102–99
Karl Malone (29)
Karl Malone (9)
Howard Eisley (10)
America West Arena 19,023
62–19
82
April 19
@ L.A. Lakers
L 98–102
Karl Malone (27)
Karl Malone (9)
Howard Eisley (4)
Great Western Forum 17,505
62–20
1997–98 schedule
1998 playoff game log
First Round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
Conference semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Conference finals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
NBA Finals: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
1998 schedule
[ 64]
Player
Signed
Former team
^ 1997-98 Utah Jazz
^ Hamilton, Linda (October 14, 1997). "Knee Surgery Puts Stockton on Sidelines" . Deseret News . Retrieved October 22, 2022 .
^ "BASKETBALL: ROUNDUP -- UTAH; Stockton Will Miss 8-12 Weeks" . The New York Times . Associated Press. October 15, 1997. Retrieved May 24, 2022 .
^ "Jazz Loses Stockton for 2-3 Months" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. October 15, 1997. Retrieved March 2, 2017 .
^ "Jazz Lose Stockton 6-8 Weeks; Knee Surgery Will End Streak of Consecutive Games Played at 609" . The Spokesman-Review . Associated Press. October 15, 1997. Retrieved January 4, 2023 .
^ "Jazz 98, Grizzlies 80" . Associated Press . November 12, 1997. Retrieved July 18, 2021 .
^ "Jazz Game Day" . Deseret News . November 29, 1997. Retrieved April 10, 2023 .
^ Jorgensen, Loren (December 20, 1997). "Russell Ready to Reclaim His Role as Jazz Starter" . Deseret News . Retrieved October 22, 2022 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 5, 1998" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved July 20, 2022 .
^ "N.B.A.: LAST NIGHT; Jazz Obtains Seikaly for Morris and Foster" . The New York Times . Associated Press. February 17, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Seikaly Traded to Jazz for Reserves" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. February 17, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ Jorgensen, Loren (February 17, 1998). "Jazz Pull Off Steal of a Deal, Acquire Seikaly" . Deseret News . Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Jazz Pick Up Seikaly In 2-for-1 Trade" . The Spokesman-Review . Wire Reports. February 17, 1998. Retrieved October 10, 2023 .
^ "Jazz Earns a Big Victory, But Seikaly Trade Voided" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. February 19, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ Johnson, L.C. (February 19, 1998). "Seikaly Refuses to Play for Jazz" . Orlando Sentinel . Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ "Jazz Call Off Seikaly Deal" . The Spokesman-Review . Associated Press. February 19, 1998. Retrieved October 10, 2023 .
^ Jorgensen, Loren (March 7, 1998). "Rony Seikaly Insists Jazz Nixed the Trade" . Deseret News . Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ Popper, Steve (February 20, 1998). "PRO BASKETBALL; Seikaly Traded to Nets in a Last-Minute Deal" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 1, 2022 .
^ Heisler, Mark (February 20, 1998). "It's a Big Deal for Clippers: There Are No Slam Dunks in the Flurry of NBA Deals" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ Smith, Sam (February 20, 1998). "NBA's Rash of Trades Ends with Another Seikaly Deal" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved June 22, 2023 .
^ Povtak, Tim (February 20, 1998). "Seikaly Bounces to Nets, and It Looks as If He'll Go" . Orlando Sentinel . Retrieved October 6, 2022 .
^ "Rony Seikaly" . NBA Stats . Retrieved October 23, 2019 .
^ "1997–98 Utah Jazz Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
^ "Utah Jazz" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 21, 2022 .
^ Armour, Terry (January 26, 1998). "Jordan Top All-Star Vote-Getter; Bryant, 19, Youngest Ever Picked" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ Jorgensen, Loren (January 26, 1998). "All-Star Voting Shows Malone Is Popular Fella" . Deseret News . Retrieved November 18, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 28, 1998). "Lakers Get Four-Star Rating as Van Exel, Jones Honored" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved April 20, 2023 .
^ "1998 NBA All-Star Recap" . NBA.com . NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023 .
^ "1997-98 All-Star Events and Contestants - in New York" . Eskimo North . Retrieved December 27, 2022 .
^ "1998 NBA All-Star Game: East 135, West 114" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 27, 2021 .
^ Wise, Mike (May 19, 1998). "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Jordan Is Winner of M.V.P. a 5th Time" . The New York Times . Retrieved September 23, 2022 .
^ Springer, Steve (May 19, 1998). "Malone Takes MVP Outcome in Stride" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 22, 2022 .
^ "1997–98 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 1, 2022 .
^ "1997–98 Utah Jazz Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
^ Popper, Steve (February 8, 1998). "N.B.A. ALL-STAR WEEKEND: Kids Slam and Ham, but a Grown-Up Shoots for Dough; Houston Pair Win in 2Ball" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 30, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 8, 1998). "Jordan Under the Weather, and Stern Is Under the Gun" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 5, 2022 .
^ Buckley, Tim (January 18, 2000). "Hornacek to Defend 3-Point Title; Jazz Guard Won All-Star Contest in 1998" . Deseret News . Retrieved November 18, 2022 .
^ "Bird Named Coach of the Year" . The Washington Post . Associated Press. May 12, 1998. Retrieved October 6, 2022 .
^ "Bird Draws Top Honor in His Rookie Season" . Los Angeles Times . Times Wire Services. May 13, 1998. Retrieved February 2, 2023 .
^ "NBA: PLAYOFFS; Utah Loses and Nears Elimination" . The New York Times . Associated Press. April 30, 1998. Retrieved January 18, 2022 .
^ "Jordan Finishes Off the Nets; Rockets Put Jazz on the Ropes" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. April 30, 1998. Retrieved October 5, 2022 .
^ Jorgensen, Loren (April 30, 1998). "Dream Turns Into Jazz's Nightmare" . Deseret News . Retrieved February 24, 2023 .
^ Drape, Tom (May 4, 1998). "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Youthful Sprint Wears Out Houston" . The New York Times . Retrieved May 5, 2022 .
^ Heisler, Mark (May 4, 1998). "Resurgent Ostertag Helps Jazz Play On" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 30, 2022 .
^ Jorgensen, Loren (May 4, 1998). "Hous-Done!" . Deseret News . Retrieved November 25, 2022 .
^ "1998 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Jazz" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
^ "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; The Finals In the West: It's Jazz Vs. Lakers" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 13, 1998. Retrieved May 5, 2022 .
^ Heisler, Mark (May 13, 1998). "Worth Getting Jazzed About" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 30, 2022 .
^ Bucher, Ric (May 13, 1998). "Malone, Jazz Put Spurs Out of Their Misery" . The Washington Post . Retrieved November 25, 2022 .
^ "1998 NBA Western Conference semifinals: Spurs vs. Jazz" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
^ Wise, Mike (May 25, 1998). "THE N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Utah Plods Right Back to the Finals" . The New York Times . Retrieved May 5, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 25, 1998). "Bittersweep End" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 30, 2022 .
^ Jorgensen, Loren (May 25, 1998). "Jazz Put Lakers to Sweep" . Deseret News . Retrieved November 18, 2022 .
^ "1998 NBA Western Conference finals: Lakers vs. Jazz" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
^ Araton, Harvey (June 15, 1998). "Sports of the Times; At the End, Jordan Lifts Bulls to Their Sixth N.B.A. Title" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 14, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 15, 1998). "A Rousing Six-cess" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 28, 2022 .
^ Armour, Terry (June 15, 1998). "Michael Jordan Hits 'The Shot', and the Chicago Bulls Beat Utah Jazz for Their 6th NBA Championship" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 20, 2021 .
^ Robinson, Doug (June 15, 1998). "M.J.'s Moment: A Finals Finale" . Deseret News . Retrieved December 12, 2022 .
^ "1998 NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Jazz" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
^ "Rockets Sign Antoine Carr" . Associated Press . January 23, 1999. Retrieved July 27, 2021 .
^ Wise, Mike (February 4, 1999). "PRO BASKETBALL; A Scrum for the Title" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 28, 2022 .
^ "NBA Draft 1997" . Archived from the original on June 14, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2008 .
^ a b 1997-98 NBA Season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com
^ 1997-98 Utah Jazz Statistics - Basketball- Reference.com
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