Jazz Hammer Bullets

Karl Malone scored 24 points and Steven Howard added 16 Monday night as the Utah Jazz handed the Washington Bullets their second blowout loss in two days and sixth straight road defeat, 111-89 in Salt Lake City.

Gheorghe Muresan scored 18 points and Tracy Murray added 11 for Washington, which has lost eight of its last 11 games.

Utah, which has won nine of its last 11, led 32-14 after one quarter and by 30 - 62-32 - at the half. It wasn’t as bad as the Bullets’ first quarter in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, when they trailed by 24 points, losing eventually 129-99.

The Jazz pulled even with Houston for the Midwest Division lead.

Washington’s Chris Webber injured his left ankle in the second quarter and did not return.

Elsewhere

Eric Williams scored 27 points to lead four starters with at least 20 as Boston defeated the Raptors 114-102 in Toronto. Damon Stoudamire led the Raptors with 26 points and 10 assists. … Jeff Grayer, playing with a 10-day contract, scored six of his 16 points during a 20-0 second-half spurt as Sacramento came from behind to defeat the Spurs 85-79 in San Antonio.

Gimpy knee sidelines Shaq

Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal will miss at least tonight’s game with the Clippers with a sprained right knee. It’s possible O’Neal won’t play Wednesday night when the Lakers face the defending champion Chicago Bulls for the second and final time in the regular season.

Rice named player of week

Glen Rice of the Charlotte Hornets won NBA player of the week honors after averaging 36.8 points in four games last week.