Jazz 102, Clippers 86

The Utah Jazz may be off to its worst start of the John Stockton-Karl Malone era, but it hasn't forgotten how to beat the Clippers.

Malone had 29 points and Donyell Marshall scored 13 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter Friday night as the Jazz beat the Clippers for the 12th straight time, 102-86.

The Jazz recorded consecutive victories for the first time this season. It hadn't taken this long to win back-to-back games since 1979-80, its first season in Utah, when it needed 23 games to do it.

"It may feel strange, but it feels better than the alternative at this point," Stockton said.

Malone shot 10 for 16 and made 9 of 10 free throws before hyperextending his right knee with 6:12 remaining. Malone, the NBA's career leader in free throws made, will break Wilt Chamberlain's league record for attempts from the line with 16 more.

Elton Brand, whose season-high 28 points at Delta Center on Nov. 23 couldn't prevent the Clippers' 25th consecutive loss at Utah, had 25 points and 10 rebounds. Jeff McInnis had 14 points on 7-for-19 shooting -- the fifth time this season he has missed 10 or more shots.

"He's got to take those shots. I think you hurt the team just as much if you don't take those shots," Gentry said.

Marshall, who entered with a league-leading .594 field goal percentage, showed no effects from a mild groin strain that sidelined him for two games. He had a dunk and a driving layup during a 14-3 run that opened the fourth quarter and gave the Jazz an 83-70 lead with 8:26 remaining.

The Jazz, which entered the game averaging a league-leading 18.3 turnovers, committed only 11 for the second straight game.

The Clippers, who missed their first six shots of the final period, got no closer than 13 from there. McInnis' 12-footer was their only field goal during the first seven minutes of the quarter.

"It was one of those deals where, in order for us to stay in that game, we had to keep the pressure on offensively," Gentry said. "But we just didn't shoot the ball well and didn't execute very well. And for the first time, I thought we got out-hustled on some plays."

The Clippers have had losing streaks of a dozen or more games against nine other teams since the franchise moved to Los Angeles after the 1993-94 season -- including an active 15-game drought against San Antonio. Their longest skid against one team is 17 games -- against Portland from April 10, 1986 through Mar. 2, 1989.

Olowokandi case reviewed

Police turned their investigation of an alleged assault by Clippers center Michael Olowokandi over to county prosecutors Friday.

An immediate decision on whether to file charges was not expected, and there was no estimate on how long the review might take, district attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.

Olowokandi, 26, was booked Dec. 1 by Manhattan Beach police for investigation of felony assault, robbery and false imprisonment. He was freed on $50,000 bail. Arraignment was set for Jan. 2 if the district attorney decides to file charges.