Nets Falter Without Cassell

SALT LAKE CITY — Sam Cassell was making shots and creating them for other people, but then he ran out of fouls.

And New Jersey ran out of steam.

Cassell finished with 26 points and 10 assists for the Nets, but fouled out with 2:19 to play in a game won by Utah, 100-95.

It was the Jazz’s fifth win in a row.

New Jersey was behind by one point when Cassell fouled out.

“I thought with Sam in, we might have a chance to steal one,” Net Coach John Calipari said. “The way he was playing, anything could have happened.”

Cassell fouled out when he slapped Bryon Russell’s wrist on a jump shot. After Cassell left the game, New Jersey failed to score on its next three possessions and the Jazz hit four free throws and a layup.

Karl Malone led the Jazz with 19 points and 14 rebounds. New Jersey got 16 points and nine rebounds from Jayson Williams.