1996–97 Utah Jazz season

1996–97 Utah Jazz season
Midwest Division Champions Western Conference Champions
Head coach	Jerry Sloan
Arena	Delta Center
Results
Record	64–18 (.780)
Place	Division: 1st (Midwest) Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finish	NBA Finals (eliminated 2–4)
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	Fox Sports Rocky Mountain, KJZZ
Radio	KSOP-AM and FM

The 1996–97 Utah Jazz season was the team's 23rd season in the NBA.^[1] For the season, the Jazz changed their logo that more closely reflects the state of Utah featuring purple mountains, and sky blue in the script. The new colors seemed to agree with the Jazz as they finished first place in the Western Conference with a franchise best record of 64-18, as Karl Malone took home MVP honors.

In the playoffs, the Jazz got off to a flying start in the first round sweeping the Los Angeles Clippers in the three straight games. In the semifinals, they continued to roll easily knocking the Los Angeles Lakers four games to one. In the Western Conference Finals, they took a 2-0 lead over the Houston Rockets. However, the Rockets would even the series at two games a piece as Eddie Johnson hit a dramatic buzzer beater to win Game 4. After taking Game 5 at home, Game 6 would be another battle and appeared to be heading for overtime as John Stockton nailed a three point buzzer beater that launched the Jazz to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. In their first trip to the finals, the Jazz lost 4-2 to the Chicago Bulls.

Draft picks

Main article: 1996 NBA Draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	25	Martin Muursepp	PF/SF	Estonia
2	54	Shandon Anderson	SF/SG	United States	Georgia

Roster

Utah Jazz roster

Players

Coaches

Pos.	No.	Name	Height	Weight	DOB (YYYY–MM–DD)
2.0 !SG	40	USA !	Anderson, Shandon	7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	208 lb (94 kg)	Georgia
4.5 !PF	55	USA !	Carr, Antoine	7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	Wichita State University
1.0 !PG	10	USA !	Eisley, Howard	7000187960000000000♠6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	177 lb (80 kg)	Boston College
6.0 !C	44	USA !	Foster, Greg	7000210820000000000♠6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)	240 lb (109 kg)	Texas-El Paso
2.0 !SG	14	USA !	Hornacek, Jeff	7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Iowa State
3.0 !SF	43	USA !	Howard, Stephen	7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	230 lb (104 kg)	DePaul
4.5 !PF	31	USA !	Keefe, Adam	7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	230 lb (104 kg)	Stanford
4.5 !PF	32	USA !	Malone, Karl	7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	250 lb (113 kg)	Louisiana Tech
3.0 !SF	34	USA !	Morris, Chris	7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Auburn
6.0 !C	00	USA !	Ostertag, Greg	7000218440000000000♠7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)	280 lb (127 kg)	Kansas
3.0 !SF	3	USA !	Russell, Bryon	7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	Long Beach State
1.0 !PG	12	USA !	Stockton, John	7000185420000000000♠6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	Gonzaga

Head coach

Jerry Sloan (Evansville)

Legend

(C) Team captain
(DP) Unsigned draft pick
(FA) Free agent
(S) Suspended
Injured

Roster • Transactions

Regular season

Season 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

^[2]

Game log

1996-97 Game Log

November: 11-2 (Home: 8-1; Road: 3-1)

Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
1	Nov 1	vs Seattle SuperSonics	99-91 W				Delta Center/19,911	1-0
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
2	Nov 2	at Los Angeles Clippers	95-90 W				Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena/13,041	2-0
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
3	Nov 4	vs Houston Rockets	72-75 L				Delta Center/19,911	2-1
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
4	Nov 9	at Houston Rockets	85-91 L				The Summit/16,285	2-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
5	Nov 13	vs Sacramento Kings	105-74 W				Delta Center/19,283	3-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
6	Nov 15	vs Vancouver Grizzlies	104-96 W				Delta Center/19,046	4-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
7	Nov 16	at Dallas Mavericks	88-87 W				Reunion Arena/15,947	5-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
8	Nov 20	at Los Angeles Lakers	113-97 W				Great Western Fourm/16,122	6-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
9	Nov 21	vs Golden State Warriors	109-104 W OT				Delta Center/18,889	7-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
10	Nov 23	vs Chicago Bulls	105-100 W				Delta Center/19,911	8-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
11	Nov 25	vs New Jersey Nets	108-92 W				Delta Center/19,132	9-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
12	Nov 27	vs Denver Nuggets	107-103 W				Delta Center/19,324	10-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
13	Nov 29	vs Los Angeles Clippers	111-94 W				Delta Center/19,381	11-2

December: 11-5 (Home: 7-1; Road: 4-4)

Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
14	Dec 1	at Seattle SuperSonics	96-90 W				KeyArena at Seattle Center/17,072	12-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
15	Dec 2	vs Charlotte Hornets	107-97 W				Delta Center/19,410	13-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
16	Dec 4	vs Los Angeles Lakers	101-75 W				Delta Center/19,911	14-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
17	Dec 6	vs Minnesota Timberwolves	106-95 W				Delta Center/19,911	15-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
18	Dec 7	at Denver Nuggets	104-91 W				McNichols Sports Arena/12,837	16-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
19	Dec 10	vs Indiana Pacers	110-86 W				Delta Center/19,911	17-2
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
20	Dec 12	vs Phoenix Suns	87-95 L				Delta Center/19,911	17-3
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
21	Dec 14	vs Orlando Magic	101-68 W				Delta Center/19,911	18-3
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
22	Dec 17	at New York Knicks	94-99 L				Madison Square Garden/19,763	18-4
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
23	Dec 19	at Miami Heat	94-87 W OT				Miami Arena/14,919	19-4
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
24	Dec 20	at Orlando Magic	98-93 W				Orlando Arena/17,248	20-4
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
25	Dec 22	at Cleveland Cavaliers	94-100 L				Gund Arena/17,205	20-5
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
26	Dec 23	at Minnesota Timberwolves	98-107 L				Target Center/14,434	20-6
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
27	Dec 26	vs Portland Trail Blazers	99-94 W				Delta Center/19,911	21-6
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
28	Dec 28	vs Philadelphia 76ers	110-84 W				Delta Center/19,911	22-6
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
29	Dec 30	at Los Angeles Clippers	101-115 L				Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena	22-7

January: 9-6 (Home: 5-0; Road: 4-6)

Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
30	Jan 2	at San Antonio Spurs	80-83 L				Alamodome/15,220	22-8
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
31	Jan 4	vs Miami Heat	83-80 W				Delta Center	23-8
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
32	Jan 6	at Chicago Bulls	89-102 L				United Center	23-9
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
33	Jan 8	at Milwaukee Bucks	112-119 L OT				Bradley Center	23-10
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
34	Jan 9	at Toronto Raptors	96-110 L				SkyDome	23-11
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
35	Jan 11	at Detroit Pistons	77-87 L				The Palace of Auburn Hills	23-12
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
36	Jan 13	at Philadelphia 76ers	97-96 W OT				CoreStates Center	24-12
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
37	Jan 16	vs Phoenix Suns	95-91 W				Delta Center	25-12
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
38	Jan 17	at Vancouver Grizzlies	106-68 W				General Motors Place	26-12
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
39	Jan 19	at Portland Trail Blazers	96-102 L				Rose Garden Arena	26-13
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
40	Jan 20	vs Cleveland Cavaliers	94-74 W				Delta Center	27-13
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
41	Jan 22	at Phoenix Suns	111-99 W				America West Arena	28-13
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
42	Jan 25	at Houston Rockets	105-100 W OT				The Summit	29-13
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
43	Jan 28	vs Denver Nuggets	114-99 W				Delta Center	30-13
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	High points	High rebounds	High assists	Location/Attendance	Record
44	Jan 30	vs Atlanta Hawks	102-96 W				Delta Center	31-13

February: 9-3 (Home: 7-1; Road: 2-2)

March

April

1996-97 Schedule

Playoffs

West First Round

(1) Utah Jazz vs. (8) Los Angeles Clippers Last Playoff Meeting: 1992 Western Conference First Round (Utah won 3–2)

Game	Date	Home	Score	Visitor	Score	Record (UTAH-LAC)	Venue	Recap
1	April 24	Utah	106	L.A. Clippers	86	1-0	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	1
2	April 26	Utah	105	L.A. Clippers	99	2-0	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	2
3	April 28	L.A. Clippers	92	Utah	104	3-0	Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California	3
Utah wins series 3–0

West Conference Semifinals

(1) Utah Jazz vs. (4) Los Angeles Lakers Last Playoff Meeting: 1988 Western Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles won 4-3)

Game	Date	Home	Score	Visitor	Score	Record (UTAH-LAL)	Venue	Recap	Television
1	May 4	Utah	93	Los Angeles	77	1-0	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	1	NBC
2	May 6	Utah	103	Los Angeles	101	2-0	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	2
3	May 8	Los Angeles	104	Utah	84	2-1	Great Western Forum, Los Angeles, California	3
4	May 10	Los Angeles	95	Utah	110	3-1	Great Western Forum, Los Angeles, California	4	NBC
5	May 12	Utah	98	Los Angeles	93	4-1	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	5	TNT
Utah wins series 4–1

West Conference Finals

(1) Utah Jazz vs. (3) Houston Rockets Last Playoff Meeting: 1995 Western Conference First Round (Houston won 3-2)

Game	Date	Home	Score	Visitor	Score	Record (UTAH-HOU)	Venue	Recap	Television
1	May 19	Utah	101	Houston	86	1-0	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	1	NBC
2	May 21	Utah	104	Houston	92	2-0	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	2	NBC
3	May 23	Houston	118	Utah	100	2-1	The Summit, Houston, Texas	3	NBC
4	May 25	Houston	95	Utah	92	2-2	The Summit, Houston, Texas	4	NBC
5	May 27	Utah	96	Houston	91	3-2	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	5	NBC
6	May 29	Houston	100	Utah	103	4-2	The Summit, Houston, Texas	6	NBC
Utah wins series 4–2

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. 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.^[3]

(E1) Chicago Bulls vs. (W1) Utah Jazz

Game	Date	Home	Score	Visitor	Score	Record (CHI-UTAH)	Venue	Recap	Television
1	June 1	Chicago	84	Utah	82	1-0	United Center, Chicago, Illinois	1 at the Wayback Machine (archived February 24, 1999)	NBC
2	June 4	Chicago	97	Utah	85	2-0	United Center, Chicago, Illinois	2 at the Wayback Machine (archived February 24, 1999)	NBC
3	June 6	Utah	104	Chicago	93	2-1	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	3 at the Wayback Machine (archived February 24, 1999)	NBC
4	June 8	Utah	78	Chicago	73	2-2	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	4 at the Wayback Machine (archived February 24, 1999)	NBC
5	June 11	Utah	88	Chicago	90	3-2	Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah	Archived February 24, 1999 at the Wayback Machine	NBC
6	June 13	Chicago	90	Utah	86	4-2	United Center, Chicago, Illinois	6 at the Wayback Machine (archived February 24, 1999)	NBC
Chicago wins NBA Finals series 4–2

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

Season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Anderson, Shandon !Shandon Anderson
Carr, Antoine !Antoine Carr
Eisley, Howard !Howard Eisley
Foster, Greg !Greg Foster
Hornacek, Jeff !Jeff Hornacek
Howard, Stephen !Stephen Howard
Keefe, Adam !Adam Keefe
Malone, Karl !Karl Malone
Morris, Chris !Chris Morris
Nembhard, Ruben !Ruben Nembhard
Ostertag, Greg !Greg Ostertag
Russell, Byron !Byron Russell
Stockton, John !John Stockton
Thompson, Brooks !Brooks Thompson
Watson, Jamie !Jamie Watson

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Anderson, Shandon !Shandon Anderson
Carr, Antoine !Antoine Carr
Eisley, Howard !Howard Eisley
Foster, Greg !Greg Foster
Hornacek, Jeff !Jeff Hornacek
Howard, Stephen !Stephen Howard
Keefe, Adam !Adam Keefe
Malone, Karl !Karl Malone
Morris, Chris !Chris Morris
Ostertag, Greg !Greg Ostertag
Russell, Byron !Byron Russell
Stockton, John !John Stockton

Awards and records

Awards

Transactions

Free Agents

Additions

Player	Signed	Former team

Subtractions

Player	Left	New team

References

↑ [http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/1997.html
↑ 1996–97 NBA season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com
↑ "Utah Jazz (1979-Present)". Sportsecyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2015-12-17.

1996–97 NBA season by team

Eastern

Atlantic	Boston Miami New Jersey New York Orlando Philadelphia Washington

Central	Atlanta Charlotte Chicago Cleveland Detroit Indiana Milwaukee Toronto

Western

Midwest	Dallas Denver Houston Minnesota San Antonio Utah Vancouver

Pacific	Golden State L.A. Clippers L.A. Lakers Phoenix Portland Sacramento Seattle

Utah Jazz

Formerly the New Orleans Jazz (1974–1979) Founded in 1974 Based in Salt Lake City, Utah

Franchise	Franchise Summer League 1974 Expansion Draft All-time roster Draft history Records Head coaches Seasons Current season

Arenas	Loyola Field House New Orleans Municipal Auditorium Louisiana Superdome Salt Palace Vivint Smart Home Arena

D-League affiliate	Idaho Stampede

Administration	Jazz Basketball Investors, Inc. (the estate of Larry H. Miller, owner) Randy Rigby (President) Kevin O'Connor (Executive VP, Basketball Operations) Dennis Lindsey (General Manager) Quin Snyder (Head coach)

Retired Numbers	1 4 7 9 12 14 32 35 53 1223 Hot Rod Hundley (Microphone)

Hall of Famers	Pete Maravich Adrian Dantley John Stockton Jerry Sloan Hot Rod Hundley Karl Malone

Conference Championships (2)	1997 1998

Rivals	Houston Rockets

Culture and lore	Jazz Bear Dan Roberts Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals Celtic Pride

Media	TV Root Sports Utah Radio KZNS-AM KZNS-FM Radio Network Announcers Craig Bolerjack Matt Harpring David Locke Ron Boone

New Orleans/Utah Jazz seasons

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

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