1996–97 Utah Jazz season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Jazz's 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 18th season in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Draft picks

 Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1  25  Martin Müürsepp  PF/SF    2  54  Shandon Anderson  SF/SG    Georgia

Roster

 Also one of the best Utah Jazz draft picks was Edgar Nave (Utah Utes)

Regular season

Season standings

z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents
1996-97 NBA RecordsTeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAVANWAS Atlanta —  3–1  1–3  1–3  3–1  2–0  1–1  1–3  2–0  1–1  3–1  2–0  1–1  1–2  4–0  2–0  3–1  1–3  3–1  4–0  1–1  2–0  2–0  2–0  1–1  4–0  1–1  2–0  2–1 Boston 1–3  —  0–4  0–4  1–2  1–1  1–1  0–4  1–1  0–2  1–2  0–2  1–1  0–4  1–3  0–2  0–4  0–4  0–4  1–3  1–1  1–1  0–2  1–1  0–2  3–1  0–2  0–2  0–4 Charlotte 3–1  4–0  —  0–4  3–1  1–1  2–0  2–2  2–0  2–0  2–2  1–1  1–1  1–2  2–2  2–0  4–0  3–1  1–2  4–0  1–1  0–2  2–0  2–0  2–0  2–2  0–2  2–0  3–1 Chicago 3–1  4–0  4–0  —  3–1  2–0  2–0  3–1  2–0  1–1  4–0  2–0  1–1  2–2  4–0  2–0  3–1  2–2  3–0  4–0  2–0  2–0  2–0  2–0  2–0  3–1  1–1  2–0  2–1 Cleveland 1–3  2–1  1–3  1–3  —  2–0  1–1  2–2  1–1  0–2  3–1  2–0  1–1  0–4  2–2  2–0  4–0  1–3  2–2  3–0  1–1  1–1  2–0  0–2  0–2  3–1  1–1  2–0  1–3 Dallas 0–2  1–1  1–1  0–2  0–2  —  3–1  0–2  0–4  0–4  1–1  2–2  0–4  0–2  0–2  1–3  1–1  1–1  1–1  2–0  1–3  1–3  2–2  1–3  1–3  0–2  1–3  3–1  0–2 Denver 1–1  1–1  0–2  0–2  1–1  1–3  —  0–2  1–3  1–3  0–2  1–3  0–4  0–2  1–1  0–4  1–1  0–2  0–2  1–1  2–2  0–4  2–2  2–2  0–4  1–1  0–4  3–1  1–1 Detroit 3–1  4–0  2–2  1–3  2–2  2–0  2–0  —  2–0  1–1  3–1  2–0  1–1  0–4  3–1  2–0  4–0  1–2  2–2  2–1  0–2  1–1  1–1  2–0  1–1  3–1  1–1  2–0  4–0 Golden State 0–2  1–1  0–2  0–2  1–1  4–0  3–1  0–2  —  0–4  1–1  1–3  0–4  0–2  1–1  1–3  2–0  0–2  1–1  2–0  0–4  2–2  1–3  4–0  0–4  2–0  0–4  3–1  0–2 Houston 1–1  2–0  0–2  1–1  2–0  4–0  3–1  1–1  4–0  —  1–1  3–1  3–1  0–2  1–1  4–0  2–0  1–1  0–2  2–0  2–2  2–2  4–0  3–1  3–1  1–1  2–2  3–1  2–0 Indiana 1–3  2–1  2–2  0–4  1–3  1–1  2–0  1–3  1–1  1–1  —  2–0  1–1  1–3  2–2  2–0  2–2  1–3  1–3  3–0  1–1  1–1  1–1  1–1  1–1  4–0  0–2  2–0  1–3 L.A. Clippers 0–2  2–0  1–1  0–2  0–2  2–2  3–1  0–2  3–1  1–3  0–2  —  2–2  0–2  2–0  1–3  1–1  0–2  1–1  1–1  2–2  0–4  2–2  4–0  1–3  2–0  1–3  4–0  0–2 L.A. Lakers 1–1  1–1  1–1  1–1  1–1  4–0  4–0  1–1  4–0  1–3  1–1  2–2  —  1–1  2–0  3–1  2–0  1–1  1–1  2–0  4–0  1–3  4–0  2–2  3–1  1–1  1–3  4–0  2–0 Miami 2–1  4–0  2–1  2–2  4–0  2–0  2–0  4–0  2–0  2–0  3–1  2–0  1–1  —  4–0  1–1  3–1  1–3  2–2  3–1  2–0  1–1  2–0  2–0  0–2  3–1  0–2  2–0  3–1 Milwaukee 0–4  3–1  2–2  0–4  2–2  2–0  1–1  1–3  1–1  1–1  2–2  0–2  0–2  0–4  —  0–2  2–1  1–2  2–2  3–1  1–1  0–2  0–2  1–1  1–1  3–1  1–1  2–0  1–3 Minnesota 0–2  2–0  0–2  0–2  0–2  3–1  4–0  0–2  3–1  0–4  0–2  3–1  1–3  1–1  2–0  —  2–0  1–1  1–1  1–1  3–1  2–2  0–4  4–0  0–4  1–1  1–3  4–0  1–1 New Jersey 1–3  4–0  0–4  1–3  0–4  1–1  1–1  0–4  0–2  0–2  2–2  1–1  0–2  1–3  1–2  0–2  —  2–2  1–3  2–2  1–1  0–2  1–1  2–0  1–1  0–3  0–2  2–0  1–3 New York 3–1  4–0  1–3  2–2  3–1  1–1  2–0  2–1  2–0  1–1  3–1  2–0  1–1  3–1  2–1  1–1  2–2  —  3–1  3–2  1–1  1–1  2–0  2–0  0–2  3–0  1–1  2–0  4–0 Orlando 1–3  4–0  2–1  0–3  2–2  1–1  2–0  2–2  1–1  2–0  3–1  1–1  1–1  2–2  2–2  1–1  3–1  1–3  —  2–2  1–1  2–0  1–1  1–1  1–1  4–0  0–2  1–1  1–3 Philadelphia 0–4  3–1  0–4  0–4  0–3  0–2  1–1  1–2  0–2  0–2  0–3  1–1  0–2  1–3  1–3  1–1  2–2  2–3  2–2  —  1–1  1–1  0–2  1–1  0–2  1–3  0–2  2–0  1–3 Phoenix 1–1  1–1  1–1  0–2  1–1  3–1  2–2  2–0  4–0  2–2  1–1  2–2  0–4  0–2  1–1  1–3  1–1  1–1  1–1  1–1  —  1–3  4–0  3–1  2–2  0–2  1–3  2–2  1–1 Portland 0–2  1–1  2–0  0–2  1–1  3–1  4–0  1–1  2–2  2–2  1–1  4–0  3–1  1–1  2–0  2–2  2–0  1–1  0–2  1–1  3–1  —  2–2  4–0  1–3  0–2  2–2  4–0  0–2 Sacramento 0–2  2–0  0–2  0–2  0–2  2–2  2–2  1–1  3–1  0–4  1–1  2–2  0–4  0–2  2–0  4–0  1–1  0–2  1–1  2–0  0–4  2–2  —  3–1  1–3  1–1  0–4  4–0  0–2 San Antonio 0–2  1–1  0–2  0–2  2–0  3–1  2–2  0–2  0–4  1–3  1–1  0–4  2–2  0–2  1–1  0–4  0–2  0–2  1–1  1–1  1–3  0–4  1–3  —  0–4  1–1  1–3  1–3  0–2 Seattle 1–1  2–0  0–2  0–2  2–0  3–1  4–0  1–1  4–0  1–3  1–1  3–1  1–3  2–0  1–1  4–0  1–1  2–0  1–1  2–0  2–2  3–1  3–1  4–0  —  2–0  1–3  4–0  2–0 Toronto 0–4  1–3  2–2  1–3  1–3  2–0  1–1  1–3  0–2  1–1  0–4  0–2  1–1  1–3  1–3  1–1  3–0  0–3  0–4  3–1  2–0  2–0  1–1  1–1  0–2  —  1–1  1–1  2–2 Utah 1–1  2–0  2–0  1–1  1–1  3–1  4–0  1–1  4–0  2–2  2–0  3–1  3–1  2–0  1–1  3–1  2–0  1–1  2–0  2–0  3–1  2–2  4–0  3–1  3–1  1–1  —  4–0  2–0 Vancouver 0–2  2–0  0–2  0–2  0–2  1–3  1–3  0–2  1–3  1–3  0–2  0–4  0–4  0–2  0–2  0–4  0–2  0–2  1–1  0–2  2–2  0–4  0–4  3–1  0–4  1–1  0–4  —  1–1 Washington 1–2  4–0  1–3  1–2  3–1  2–0  1–1  0–4  2–0  0–2  3–1  2–0  0–2  1–3  3–1  1–1  3–1  0–4  3–1  3–1  1–1  2–0  2–0  2–0  0–2  2–2  0–2  1–1  —

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  November 1  Seattle  W 99–91  Karl Malone (27)  Karl Malone (13)  Stockton & Hornacek (8)  Delta Center19,911  1–0 2  November 2  @ L.A. Clippers  W 95–90  Karl Malone (21)  Karl Malone (12)  John Stockton (7)  Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena13,041  2–0 3  November 4  Houston  L 72–75  Karl Malone (16)  Karl Malone (14)  Jeff Hornacek (5)  Delta Center19,911  2–1 4  November 9  @ Houston  L 85–91  Karl Malone (32)  Karl Malone (11)  John Stockton (6)  The Summit16,285  2–2 5  November 13  Sacramento  W 105–74  Karl Malone (22)  Greg Ostertag (13)  John Stockton (10)  Delta Center19,283  3–2 6  November 15  Vancouver  W 104–96  Karl Malone (21)  Greg Ostertag (20)  John Stockton (18)  Delta Center19,046  4–2 7  November 16  @ Dallas  W 88–87  John Stockton (23)  Byron Russell (13)  John Stockton (8)  Reunion Arena15,947  5–2 8  November 20  @ L.A. Lakers  W 113–97  Karl Malone (37)  Greg Ostertag (9)  John Stockton (13)  Great Western Fourm16,122  6–2 9  November 21  Golden State  W 109–104 (OT)     Delta Center18,889  7–2 10  November 23  Chicago  W105–100     Delta Center19,911  8–2 11  November 25  New Jersey  W 108–92     Delta Center19,132  9–2 12  November 27  Denver  W 107–103     Delta Center19,324  10–2 13  November 29  L.A. Clippers  W 111–94     Delta Center19,381  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) Game Date Opponent Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record 45  Feb 1  at Dallas Mavericks  97-100 L     Reunion Arena  31-14 Game Date Opponent Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record 46  Feb 3  vs Washington Bullets  111-89 W     Delta Center  32-14 Game Date Opponent Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record 47  Feb 5  at Seattle SuperSonics  99-95 W     KeyArena at Seattle Center  33-14 Game Date Opponent Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record 48  Feb 11  at Sacramento Kings  120-98 W     ARCO Arena  34-14 Game Date Opponent Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record 49  Feb 13  vs Portland Trail Blazers  110-86 W     Delta Center  35-14 Game Date Opponent Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record 50  Feb 15  vs Dallas Mavericks  99-84 W     Delta Center  36-14

+ March Game Date Opponent Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record

+ April Game Date Opponent Score High points High rebounds High assists Location/Attendance Record
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)
GameDateHomeScoreVisitorScoreRecord
(UTAH-LAC)VenueRecap1April 24Utah106L.A. Clippers861-0Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah1 2April 26Utah105L.A. Clippers992-0Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah2 3April 28L.A. Clippers92Utah1043-0Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles3  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)
GameDateHomeScoreVisitorScoreRecord
(UTAH-LAL)VenueRecapTelevision1May 4Utah93Los Angeles771-0Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah1 NBC2May 6Utah103Los Angeles1012-0Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah2 TNT3May 8Los Angeles104Utah842-1Great Western Forum, Los Angeles3 TNT4May 10Los Angeles95Utah1103-1Great Western Forum, Los Angeles, California4 NBC5May 12Utah98Los Angeles934-1Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah5 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)
GameDateHomeScoreVisitorScoreRecord
(UTAH-HOU)VenueRecapTelevision1May 19Utah101Houston861-0Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah1 NBC2May 21Utah104Houston922-0Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah2 NBC3May 23Houston118Utah1002-1The Summit, Houston, Texas3 NBC4May 25Houston95Utah922-2The Summit, Houston, Texas4 NBC5May 27Utah96Houston913-2Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah5 NBC6May 29Houston100Utah1034-2The Summit, Houston, Texas6 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.

(E1) Chicago Bulls vs. (W1) Utah Jazz
GameDateHomeScoreVisitorScoreRecord
(CHI-UTAH)VenueRecapTelevision1June 1Chicago84Utah821-0United Center, ChicagoNBC2June 4Chicago97Utah852-0United Center, Chicago, IllinoisNBC3June 6Utah104Chicago932-1Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UtahNBC4June 8Utah78Chicago732-2Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UtahNBC5June 11Utah88Chicago903-2Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UtahNBC6June 13Chicago90Utah864-2United Center, Chicago, IllinoisNBC Chicago wins NBA Finals series 4–2

Player statistics

Season
 Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG                                                                                                                                                                     

Playoffs
 Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG                                                                                                                                    

Awards and records

Awards
 Karl Malone, NBA Most Valuable Player Award
 Karl Malone, All-NBA First Team
 John Stockton, All-NBA Third Team
 Karl Malone, NBA All-Defensive First Team
 John Stockton, NBA All-Defensive Second Team

Records

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

Player Signed Former team  

Subtractions
Player Left New team  

References

Category:National Basketball Association seasons