Mailman delivers 36,000 for Jazz

ORLANDO: Karl Malone became only the second man in NBA history to reach 36,000 career points, pouring in a total of 40 to propel the Utah Jazz to a 111-108 victory over the Orlando Magic Wednesday.

Malone, who will be 40 in July, also grabbed nine rebounds and dished out seven assists in Wednesday night’s game to join Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who had 38,387 points. NBA scoring leader Tracy McGrady had 32 points for the Magic, while Pat Garrity added 20 and eight boards.
In BOSTON: The New Orleans Hornets had their five-game road winning streak snapped as they were thumped 93-65 by the Celtics. Antoine Walker notched 23 points and Paul Pierce 21 for the Celtics.
In PHILADELPHIA: Allen Iverson notched 31 points to carry the surging 76ers to a 96-93 victory over the Indiana Pacers, their 12th win in 14 games.

In DETROIT: Chauncey Billups matched his season best with 33 points as the Pistons trounced the Los Angeles Lakers 111-88. Teammate Mehmet Okur added a career-high 22 points. Shaquille O’Neal had 24 points and 13 rebounds and Kobe Bryant scored 21 for the Lakers.

In ATLANTA:  Shareef Abdur-Rahim notched 29 points and Jason Terry added 22 as the Hawks thumped the Milwaukee Bucks 111-92.
Sam Cassell had 24 points and Gary Payton 19 to pace the Bucks.

In MINNEAPOLIS: The San Antonio Spurs handed the Minnesota Timberwolves their first loss in 18 home games, winning 111-99. It was the Spurs’s 26th victory against just five losses in 2003. Stephen Jackson had 22 points to top San Antonio while Tim Duncan added 18 and 14 rebounds. Troy Hudson had 30 points for Minnesota, 20 in the third quarter. Kevin Garnett collected 17 points and 13 rebounds.

In MEMPHIS: The Memphis Grizzlies opened up a 41-29 first-quarter lead on their way to a 124-95 rout of the Chicago Bulls.
Pau Gasol had 27 points to pace the hosts, who won for the fifth consecutive game to tie the franchise record.

In HOUSTON: Steve Francis, Glen Rice and Cuttino Mobley all topped 20 points as the Rockets outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers 118-114 in overtime. Francis picked up six of his team-high 25 points in overtime. Yao Ming added 10 and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who are now tied with Phoenix for the final playoff berth in the West.

In PORTLAND: The Blazers broke open a close game with lopsided second and third quarters to rout the Toronto Raptors 125-103.
Six Blazers were in double figures, led by former Raptor Damon Stoudamire with 20 points. Vince Carter had 21 to top Toronto.