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1996–97  Utah Jazz season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach Jerry Sloan
General managerTim Howells
Owner(s) Larry H. Miller
Arena Delta Center
Results
Record64–18 (.780)
PlaceDivision: 1st ( Midwest)
Conference: 1st ( Western)
Playoff finish NBA Finals
(lost to Bulls 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
Radio KFNZ
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Jazz's 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 18th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. [1] Prior to the start of the season, the Jazz changed their primary logo that more closely reflects the state of Utah, featuring purple mountains and light blue in the script, [2] [3] [4] plus adding new uniforms. [5] [6] The new colors seemed to agree with the Jazz as they went on a 15-game winning streak between November and December after a 2–2 start to the season. [7] With a 33–14 record at midseason, [8] the Jazz then posted a 31–4 record after the All-Star break, where they posted another 15-game winning streak between March and April, [9] winning 19 of their final 20 games, and finishing first place in the Western Conference with a franchise best record of 64–18. [10] They made their fourteenth consecutive trip to the playoffs. [11] The team also had the second best home record in the league with a 38–3 record at the Delta Center.

Karl Malone averaged 27.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game as he took home MVP honors, finishing in first place ahead of Michael Jordan in Most Valuable Player voting, [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] while being named to the All-NBA First Team and NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, John Stockton averaged 14.4 points, led the league with 10.5 assists, and contributed 2.0 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Both Malone and Stockton were selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] Jeff Hornacek provided the team with 14.5 points and 1.5 steals per game, while Bryon Russell showed improvement becoming the team's starting small forward, averaging 10.8 points and 1.4 steals per game, second-year center Greg Ostertag averaged 7.3 points and rebounds per game each, and led the team with 2.0 blocks per game, and Antoine Carr contributed 7.4 points per game off the bench. [22] Head coach Jerry Sloan finished in third place in Coach of the Year voting. [23] [24] [25] [26]

In the playoffs, the Jazz got off to a flying start in the Western Conference First Round sweeping the Los Angeles Clippers in three straight games. [27] [28] [29] [30] In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they continued to roll easily knocking the Los Angeles Lakers four games to one. [31] [32] [33] [34] In the Western Conference Finals, they took a 2–0 series lead over the Houston Rockets, who were led by Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler. [35] [36] [37] However, the Rockets would even the series at two games a piece, as Rockets forward Eddie Johnson hit a dramatic three-pointer at the buzzer to win Game 4, 95–92. [38] [39] [40] After the Jazz took Game 5 at home, 96–91, [41] [42] [43] Game 6 would be another battle and appeared to be heading for overtime, until Stockton nailed a three-point buzzer beater that launched the Jazz to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Rockets on the road, 103–100. [44] [45] [46] [47] In their first trip to the finals, the Jazz lost in six games to Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the defending champion Chicago Bulls. [48] [49] [50] [51] [52]

One notable highlight of the season was the Jazz trailing 70–36 at halftime to the Denver Nuggets at home on November 27, 1996, but came back from a 34-point deficit, outscoring the Nuggets 71–33 in the second half to win the game, 107–103. [53] [54] [55] [56] The Jazz's new primary logo and uniforms would both remain in use until 2004.

Draft picks

Main article: 1996 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 25 Martin Müürsepp PF/SF   Estonia
2 54 Shandon Anderson SF/SG  United States Georgia

Roster

1996–97 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 43 Howard, Stephen 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1970–05–15 DePaul
F 31 Keefe, Adam 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1970–02–22 Stanford
F 32 Malone, Karl (C) 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 (C) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1962–03–26 Gonzaga
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 5, 1997

Roster Notes

Regular season

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y- Utah Jazz 64 18 .780 – 38–3 26–15 19–5
x- Houston Rockets 57 25 .695 7 30–11 27–14 19–5
x- Minnesota Timberwolves 40 42 .488 24 25–16 15–26 16–8
Dallas Mavericks 24 58 .293 40 14–27 10–31 9–15
Denver Nuggets 21 61 .256 43 12–29 9–32 7–17
San Antonio Spurs 20 62 .244 44 12–29 8–33 8–16
Vancouver Grizzlies 14 68 .171 50 8–33 6–35 6–18
1996–97 NBA West standings
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c- Utah Jazz 64 18 .780 –
2 y- Seattle SuperSonics 57 25 .695 7
3 x- Houston Rockets 57 25 .695 7
4 x- Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 .683 8
5 x- Portland Trail Blazers 49 33 .598 15
6 x- Minnesota Timberwolves 40 42 .488 24
7 x- Phoenix Suns 40 42 .488 24
8 x- Los Angeles Clippers 36 46 .439 28
9 Sacramento Kings 34 48 .415 30
10 Golden State Warriors 30 52 .366 34
11 Dallas Mavericks 24 58 .293 40
12 Denver Nuggets 21 61 .256 43
13 San Antonio Spurs 20 62 .244 44
14 Vancouver Grizzlies 14 68 .171 50
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

[57]

Record vs. opponents

1996-97 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 — 3–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–1
Boston 1–3 — 0–4 0–4 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–4
Charlotte 3–1 4–0 — 0–4 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Chicago 3–1 4–0 4–0 — 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 3–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1
Cleveland 1–3 2–1 1–3 1–3 — 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Dallas 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 — 3–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 — 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–4 3–1 1–1
Detroit 3–1 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 — 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–2 2–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Golden State 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 0–2 — 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 1–3 4–0 0–4 2–0 0–4 3–1 0–2
Houston 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 — 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0
Indiana 1–3 2–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 — 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–3
L.A. Clippers 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 — 2–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–3 4–0 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 2–2 — 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 2–0
Miami 2–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 — 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Milwaukee 0–4 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 — 0–2 2–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 — 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–4 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1
New Jersey 1–3 4–0 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 — 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–2 — 3–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
Orlando 1–3 4–0 2–1 0–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–3 — 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–3
Philadelphia 0–4 3–1 0–4 0–4 0–3 0–2 1–1 1–2 0–2 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–3 2–2 — 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 — 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Portland 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 — 2–2 4–0 1–3 0–2 2–2 4–0 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 — 3–1 1–3 1–1 0–4 4–0 0–2
San Antonio 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 — 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
Seattle 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 — 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Toronto 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 3–0 0–3 0–4 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 — 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 — 4–0 2–0
Vancouver 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 0–4 1–1 0–4 — 1–1
Washington 1–2 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 —

Game log

Game log

Regular season

1996–97 game log
Total: 64–18 (home: 38–3; road: 26–15)
November: 11–2 (home: 8–1; road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 1
7:00 p.m. MST 		Seattle W 99–91 Malone (27) Malone (13) Hornacek,
Stockton (8) 		Delta Center
19,911 		1–0
2 November 2 @ L.A. Clippers W 95–90 Malone (21) Malone (12) Stockton (7) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
13,041 		2–0
3 November 4
7:00 p.m. MST 		Houston L 72–75 Malone (16) Malone (14) Hornacek (5) Delta Center
19,911 		2–1
4 November 9
6:30 p.m. MST 		@ Houston L 85–91 Malone (32) Malone (11) Stockton (6) The Summit
16,285 		2–2
5 November 13 Sacramento W 105–74 Malone (22) Ostertag (13) Stockton (10) Delta Center
19,283 		3–2
6 November 15 Vancouver W 104–96 Malone (21) Ostertag (20) Stockton (18) Delta Center
19,046 		4–2
7 November 16 @ Dallas W 88–87 Stockton (23) Russell (13) Stockton (8) Reunion Arena
15,947 		5–2
8 November 20
7:30 p.m. MST 		@ L.A. Lakers W 113–97 Malone (37) Ostertag (9) Stockton (13) Great Western Forum
16,122 		6–2
9 November 21 Golden State W 109–104 (OT) Delta Center
18,889 		7–2
10 November 23
7:00 p.m. MST 		Chicago W 105–100 Malone (36) Malone (15) Stockton (13) Delta Center
19,911 		8–2
11 November 25 New Jersey W 108–92 Delta Center
19,132 		9–2
12 November 27 Denver W 107–103 Delta Center
19,324 		10–2
13 November 29 L.A. Clippers W 111–94 Delta Center
19,381 		11–2
December: 11–5 (home: 7–1; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
14 December 1
6:00 p.m. MST 		@ Seattle W 96–90 KeyArena
17,072 		12–2
15 December 2 Charlotte W 107–97 Delta Center
19,410 		13–2
16 December 4
6:00 p.m. MST 		L.A. Lakers W 101–75 Delta Center
19,911 		14–2
17 December 6 Minnesota W 106–95 Delta Center
19,911 		15–2
18 December 7 @ Denver W 104–91 McNichols Sports Arena
12,837 		16–2
19 December 10 Indiana W 110–86 Delta Center
19,911 		17–2
20 December 12 Phoenix L 87–95 Delta Center
19,911 		17–3
21 December 14 Orlando W 101–68 Delta Center
19,911 		18–3
22 December 17
5:30 p.m. MST 		@ New York L 94–99 Madison Square Garden
19,763 		18–4
23 December 19
5:30 p.m. MST 		@ Miami W 94–87 (OT) Malone (35) Malone (16) Stockton (10) Miami Arena
14,919 		19–4
24 December 20 @ Orlando W 98–93 Orlando Arena
17,248 		20–4
25 December 22 @ Cleveland L 94–100 Gund Arena
17,205 		20–5
26 December 23 @ Minnesota L 98–107 Target Center
14,434 		20–6
27 December 26 Portland W 99–94 Delta Center
19,911 		21–6
28 December 28 Philadelphia W 110–84 Delta Center
19,911 		22–6
29 December 30 @ L.A. Clippers L 101–115 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 22–7
January: 9–6 (home: 5–0; road: 4–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
30 January 2 @ San Antonio L 80–83 Alamodome
15,220 		22–8
31 January 4
7:00 p.m. MST 		Miami W 83–80 Malone (28) Malone (12) Stockton (11) Delta Center
19,911 		23–8
32 January 6
6:30 p.m. MST 		@ Chicago L 89–102 Malone (27) Malone (11) Stockton (11) United Center
23,882 		23–9
33 January 8 @ Milwaukee L 112–119 (OT) Bradley Center 23–10
34 January 9 @ Toronto L 96–110 SkyDome 23–11
35 January 11 @ Detroit L 77–87 The Palace of Auburn Hills 23–12
36 January 13 @ Philadelphia W 97–96 (OT) CoreStates Center 24–12
37 January 16 Phoenix W 95–91 Delta Center 25–12
38 January 17 @ Vancouver W 106–68 General Motors Place 26–12
39 January 19 @ Portland L 96–102 Rose Garden 26–13
40 January 20 Cleveland W 94–74 Delta Center 27–13
41 January 22 @ Phoenix W 111–99 America West Arena 28–13
42 January 25
6:30 p.m. MST 		@ Houston W 105–100 (OT) Malone (27) Malone (17) Stockton (11) The Summit
16,285 		29–13
43 January 28 Denver W 114–99 Delta Center 30–13
44 January 30
7:00 p.m. MST 		Atlanta W 102–96 Delta Center 31–13
February: 9–3 (home: 7–1; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
45 February 1 @ Dallas L 97–100 Reunion Arena 31–14
46 February 3 Washington W 111–89 Delta Center 32–14
47 February 5
6:00 p.m. MST 		@ Seattle W 99–95 KeyArena 33–14
All-Star Break
48 February 11 @ Sacramento W 120–98 ARCO Arena 34–14
49 February 13 Portland W 110–86 Delta Center 35–14
50 February 15 Dallas W 99–84 Delta Center 36–14
51 February 18 San Antonio W 113–105 Delta Center 37–14
52 February 20 Boston W 122–105 Delta Center 38–14
53 February 23
1:30 p.m. MST 		Seattle L 87–89 (OT) Delta Center 38–15
54 February 25
7:00 p.m. MST 		New York W 110–99 Delta Center 39–15
55 February 27 Toronto W 118–114 Delta Center 40–15
56 February 28 @ Portland L 105–115 Rose Garden 40–16
March: 14–1 (home: 4–0; road: 10–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
57 March 2 @ Vancouver W 93–86 General Motors Place 41–16
58 March 3 @ Golden State W 111–104 San Jose Arena 42–16
59 March 5 Dallas W 96–65 Delta Center 43–16
60 March 7 Detroit W 95–88 Delta Center 44–16
61 March 9 @ Minnesota W 115–106 Target Center 45–16
62 March 11
5:30 p.m. MST 		@ Atlanta L 99–106 The Omni 45–17
63 March 12 @ New Jersey W 117–102 Continental Airlines Arena 46–17
64 March 14 @ Indiana W 105–96 Market Square Arena 47–17
65 March 15 @ Washington W 100–93 US Airways Arena 48–17
66 March 17 @ Charlotte W 114–93 Charlotte Coliseum 49–17
67 March 19 @ Boston W 113–100 Fleet Center 50–17
68 March 22 L.A. Clippers W 107–94 Delta Center 51–17
69 March 23 @ Denver W 120–103 McNichols Sports Arena 52–17
70 March 28 Milwaukee W 101–96 Delta Center 53–17
71 March 29 @ San Antonio W 115–102 Alamodome 54–17
April: 10–1 (home: 7–0; road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
72 April 2 Sacramento W 118–87 Delta Center 55–17
73 April 4 Vancouver W 106–79 Delta Center 56–17
74 April 6 @ Golden State W 114–100 San Jose Arena 57–17
75 April 7 San Antonio W 116–93 Delta Center 58–17
76 April 9
6:00 p.m. MDT 		L.A. Lakers W 101–89 Delta Center 59–17
77 April 11
7:00 p.m. MDT 		Houston W 104–83 Malone (28) Malone (13) Stockton (8) Delta Center
19,911 		60–17
78 April 13
1:30 p.m. MDT 		@ L.A. Lakers L 98–100 Great Western Forum 60–18
41 April 15 @ Phoenix W 127–122 America West Arena 61–18
80 April 17 Golden State W 106–93 Delta Center 62–18
81 April 19 Minnesota W 101–89 Delta Center 63–18
82 April 20 @ Sacramento W 113–109 ARCO Arena 64–18
1996–97 schedule

Playoffs

1997 playoff game log
Western Conference First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 24 L.A. Clippers W 106–86 Malone (27) Malone (10) Stockton (17) Delta Center
19,911 		1–0
2 April 26 L.A. Clippers W 105–99 Malone (39) Malone (11) Hornacek,
Stockton (4) 		Delta Center
19,911 		2–0
3 April 28 @ L.A. Clippers W 104–92 Malone (26) Malone (13) Stockton (13) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
11,747 		3–0
Western Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 4
3:30 p.m. MDT 		L.A. Lakers W 93–77 Malone (23) Malone (13) Hornacek (7) Delta Center
19,911 		1–0
2 May 6
8:30 p.m. MDT 		L.A. Lakers W 103–101 Malone (31) Malone (11) Hornacek,
Stockton (7) 		Delta Center
19,911 		2–0
3 May 8
8:30 p.m. MDT 		@ L.A. Lakers L 84–104 Hornacek (26) Malone (10) Stockton (8) Great Western Forum
17,505 		2–1
4 May 10
1:30 p.m. MDT 		@ L.A. Lakers W 110–95 Russell (29) Russell (10) Stockton (11) Great Western Forum
17,505 		3–1
5 May 12
8:30 p.m. MDT 		L.A. Lakers W 98–93 (OT) Malone (32) Malone (20) Stockton (10) Delta Center
19,911 		4–1
Western Conference Finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 19
6:30 p.m. MDT 		Houston W 101–86 Malone (21) Malone (13) Stockton (13) Delta Center
19,911 		1–0
2 May 21
6:30 p.m. MDT 		Houston W 104–92 Stockton (26) Malone (15) Stockton (12) Delta Center
19,911 		2–0
3 May 23
6:30 p.m. MDT 		@ Houston L 100–118 Malone (21) Ostertag (9) Stockton (10) The Summit
16,285 		2–1
4 May 25
1:30 p.m. MDT 		@ Houston L 92–95 Malone,
Stockton (22) 		Malone (10) Stockton (8) The Summit
16,285 		2–2
5 May 27
7:00 p.m. MDT 		Houston W 96–91 Malone (29) Malone (14) Stockton (6) Delta Center
19,911 		3–2
6 May 29
7:00 p.m. MDT 		@ Houston W 103–100 Stockton (25) Ostertag (14) Stockton (13) The Summit
16,285 		4–2
NBA Finals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 June 1
5:30 p.m. MDT 		@ Chicago L 82–84 Malone (23) Malone (15) Stockton (12) United Center
24,544 		0–1
2 June 4
7:00 p.m. MDT 		@ Chicago L 85–97 Malone (20) Malone (13) Stockton (7) United Center
24,544 		0–2
3 June 6
7:00 p.m. MDT 		Chicago W 104–93 Malone (37) Malone (10) Stockton (12) Delta Center
19,911 		1–2
4 June 8
5:30 p.m. MDT 		Chicago W 78–73 Malone (23) Malone (10) Stockton (12) Delta Center
19,911 		2–2
5 June 11
7:00 p.m. MDT 		Chicago L 88–90 Malone (19) Ostertag (15) Malone (6) Delta Center
19,911 		2–3
6 June 13
7:00 p.m. MDT 		@ Chicago L 86–90 Malone (21) Ostertag (8) Stockton (5) United Center
24,544 		2–4
1997 schedule

NBA Finals

In the Finals, the Jazz faced the Chicago Bulls losing the first two games on the road. However, the Jazz upon arriving at the Delta Center continued their home court advantage by taking Game 3, and Game 4 to even the series. With a chance to take a series lead in Game 5, the Jazz were beaten by a heroic performance by Michael Jordan playing with the flu like ailment 90–88. [58] [59] [60] [61] [62] Back in Chicago for Game 6, the Jazz battled the Bulls tightly before falling by four points as the Bulls won their fifth title in seven years. [63]

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

NOTE: Please write players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Shandon Anderson 65 0 16.4
Antoine Carr 82 0 17.8
Howard Eisley 82 0 13.2
Greg Foster 79 12 11.6
Jeff Hornacek 82 82 31.6
Stephen Howard 42 0 8.3
Adam Keefe 62 0 14.8
Karl Malone 82 82 36.6
Chris Morris 73 1 13.4
Ruben Nembhard 8 0 11.8
Greg Ostertag 77 70 23.6
Bryon Russell 81 81 31.2
John Stockton 82 82 35.3
Brooks Thompson 2 0 4.0
Jamie Watson 13 0 9.9

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Shandon Anderson
Antoine Carr 14.0
Howard Eisley
Greg Foster
Jeff Hornacek 35.2
Stephen Howard
Adam Keefe
Karl Malone 40.8
Chris Morris
Greg Ostertag 20.3
Bryon Russell 37.9
John Stockton 37.0

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

References

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