Trailblazers at Jazz - Game 2 - Conference Semifinals - 5/20/99 (Highlights)

The Portland Trailblazers stole Game 2 and homecourt advantage in the Western Conference Semifinals, evening the series at 1-1 with an 84-81 victory at the Delta Center.

A questionable double-foul in the first quarter (1:18-mark) sent league MVP Karl Malone to the bench, and Utah's offense struggled for remainder of the half. As a result the game turned ugly, with Portland taking a 32-31 lead in a record-low scoring first-half.
Utah received a scoring punch from Shandon Anderson (16 points off-the-bench) and the game remained tight through 3-quarters, as the Trailblazers took a 55-52 lead into the final period. In the 4th-quarter however, Utah uncharacteristically turned the ball over and Portland capitalized (8:30-mark) quickly building a 9-point lead with 4 minutes remaining in the 4th.

It was at this point that Utah's offense kicked into high-gear in a furious rally (8:42-mark). A Karl Malone 3-point play kick-started the run, and timely baskets by Jeff Hornacek further cut into Utah's lead. Portland was aided by a couple of questionable fouls (9:47-mark) which sent them to the FT line, as well as some spetacular moves by Isiah Rider (9:08-mark), who led all scorers with 27 points. Back-to-back 3-pointers by John Stockton (11:27-mark) and Jeff Hornacek (11:58-mark), sandwiched around a Rider up-and-under (11:50-mark), pulled Utah within 1 in the closing seconds. After Portland split 2 free throws, John Stockton had a chance to tie the game but his layup spilled off, no foul was called on the contact and Portland escaped with a narrow 84-81 victory.

Karl Malone led Utah with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists.

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