MALONE'S BULLS-EYE; JAZZ WINS, FORCES FINALS RETURN TO HOME COURT : UTAH 83, CHICAGO 81.

Byline: Tim Povtak Orlando Sentinel 

Karl Malone just crashed the party.

Malone scored a game-high 39 points Friday night, carrying his Utah Jazz to a stunning, 83-81 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Malone stopped - or at least postponed - a much-anticipated victory parade. With an entire city lined up outside the United Center and expecting to start celebrating a sixth NBA title, the Bulls were halted rudely by Malone's overpowering performance.

The Bulls still lead 3-2 in this best-of-seven series, but Game 6 Sunday and a possible Game 7 will be played in Utah.

``We're still in the hunt, still kicking,'' said Utah guard John Stockton. ``We're going home and that home court is what we worked for all season. We showed tonight when you want to win games, you go to Karl Malone.''

Malone, who was criticized for a mediocre performance throughout the series, played with a wide-open confidence he had not shown since the finals began, challenging the Bulls at every possession.

``Unfortunately, we have to go back now to Utah,'' said Michael Jordan. ``We wanted to win it at home, but we'll deal with it. Hopefully, we can regain our focus.''

The Jazz took control with a third-quarter flurry, then never trailed in the fourth. The Bulls had a final chance, but Michael Jordan's 3-point heave at the buzzer was wide. Utah's Jeff Hornacek made one of two free throw with 1.1 second remaining for the two-point lead that held up against Jordan's final shot.

The Bulls were led by 30 points from Toni Kukoc. Jordan had 28 points. Scottie Pippen, who was so big throughout the series, struggled with just six points, making only two of 16 shots.

The Bulls were stunned by Utah's aggressiveness Friday, anticipating a celebration today and a coronation as one of the NBA's all-time greatest teams.

``I didn't have a tee time for Saturday,'' Jordan said. ``I anticipated drinking so much much champagne that I wouldn't be thinking about golf. Now we'll get on the plane and go to Utah. We'll get on the plane and go out and win there.''

The Jazz jumped to a 68-60 lead after a basket by Bryon Russell midway in the third. Steve Kerr answered with his second 3-pointer of the period, setting up an exciting finish.

After playing poorly in the first half, the Jazz moved Antoine Carr into the starting lineup in the second and they came roaring out for battle. Carr hit two free throws for the 82-78 lead with 10 seconds remaining. Kukoc, though, closed the gap to one with a 3-pointer with 5 seconds remaining.

The third quarter was heated and physical. Stockton and Scottie Pippen tangled once, getting double technical fouls. Jeff Hornacek and Dennis Rodman did the same a minute later for two more technical fouls.

Malone dominated the third period with 17 points, finishing a pair of three-point plays as the Jazz jumped to a 59-52 lead. A 3-pointer by Kukoc made it 59-55 when the fourth quarter began.

The Bulls led 36-30 at intermission, overcoming a poor-shooting, sloppy performance early from both teams. Kukoc had 17 points by intermission, carrying the Bulls to an early lead. He had 13 of their first 14 points. Jordan didn't make his first field goal until 11 seconds remained in the first quarter.

Malone had 14 points at halftime, but he got little help early. The Jazz was bogged down by 14 turnovers by intermission. Both teams were uptight at the start, missing shots and throwing ill-advised passes. The Bulls had 10 turnovers by halftime.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Utah's Karl Malone asserts himself against Chicago's Scottie Pippen, driving for two of his game-high 39 points.

Michael S. Green/Associated Press

(2) Referee Joe Crawford hands Utah's Karl Malone a technical foul.

Beth A. Keiser/Associated Press