Really Utah's backcourt deserves to be here, but considering I wouldn't pull over after hitting either one of those guys with a rusted-up Pinto, I'll refrain. Mobley hit 6-12 shots, including 3-6 from long range, for 17 points to lead the Rockets. He also added 4 boards and a pair of steals off the bench. Steve Francis and Shandon Anderson. After Sam Cassell and Ray Allen lit up the Rockets' backcourt for 54 points on Tuesday, Jeff Hornacek and John Stockton combined to go 16-19 for 35 points. That's right... 16-19. The Rockets' backcourt is young and talented, but they've been scorched badly now two games in a row.

The Rockets' backcourt is supposed to be much improved this season with the additions of Steve Francis and Shandon Anderson.

It didn't matter much to John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek.

The pair combined to hit 16-19 shots and Karl Malone led all scorers with 21 points as the Jazz cruised in the fourth quarter to beat the Rockets 98-82 in the Delta Center.

The Rockets fall to 0-2 on the season, and play the World Champion Spurs in the Compaq Center tonight.

The Rockets tied the game early in the third at 44 all, but the Jazz regained control and never trailed the rest of the way.

Cuttino Mobley led the Rockets with 17 points, 4 boards and a pair of steals. Hakeem Olajuwon was 6-13 from the field for 12 points.

Anderson, who was booed early and often by the Jazz faithful for bailing on Utah as a free agent, scored just 4 points, while Francis added just 8 points, 5 assists and 4 turnovers on 3-8 shooting. Charles Barkley was 3-10, missing his last 5 shots in the fourth, finishing with 8 points, 6 assists and 5 boards. Bryce Drew added 10 points and a pair of assists off the bench.

If you take out Bryon Russell's 2-15 performance, the rest of the Jazz shot 63% from the field. That's sick.

It's the same spill from the Rockets -- poor shooting (44%), lots of turnovers (26) and lack of defense.