1987–88 Utah Jazz season

1987–88 Utah Jazz season
Head coachFrank Layden
General managerDave Checketts
OwnerLarry H. Miller
ArenaSalt Palace
Results
Record47–35 (.573)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Midwest)
Conference: 5th (Western)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Lakers 3–4)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKSTU
Jazz Cable Network
RadioKSL

The 1987–88 Utah Jazz season was the 14th season for the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association, and their ninth season in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz had the 15th overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft, and selected center Jose Ortiz out of Oregon State University; however, Ortiz went to play overseas in Spain, and would not play for the Jazz until the next season.[1][2][3] During the off-season, the team acquired Melvin Turpin from the Cleveland Cavaliers.[4][5]

The Jazz played around .500 in winning percentage in the first half of the regular season, holding a 22–22 record at the All-Star break,[6] but then played above .500 for the remainder of the season, winning seven of their final eight games. The team finished in third place in the Midwest Division with a 47–35 record, earned the fifth seed in the Western Conference, and qualified for the NBA playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.[7]

Karl Malone averaged 27.7 points, 12.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In addition, sixth man Thurl Bailey averaged 19.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game off the bench, while John Stockton showed improvement, replacing Rickey Green as the team's starting point guard this season,[8] averaging 14.7 points, 13.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game, and also being named to the All-NBA Second Team, and Darrell Griffith contributed 11.3 points per game also off the bench, but only played 52 games due to injury. Meanwhile, Bob Hansen provided the team with 9.6 points per game, Kelly Tripucka contributed 7.5 points per game, but only appeared in just 49 games, and Mark Eaton averaged 7.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game, and was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Off the bench, Turpin provided with 5.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, while Green contributed 4.9 points and 3.7 assists per game, and starting small forward Marc Iavaroni averaged 4.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.[9]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, Malone was selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team; it was his first ever All-Star appearance. Malone scored 22 points along with 10 rebounds and 2 steals, despite the Western Conference losing to the Eastern Conference, 138–133.[10][11][12]

Malone also finished in eighth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Stockton finished in tenth place;[13] Stockton also finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting, behind Kevin Duckworth of the Portland Trail Blazers,[14][13] while Bailey finished in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, behind Roy Tarpley of the Dallas Mavericks,[15][13] and Eaton finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, behind Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls, and with Stockton and Hansen both finishing tied in eighth place.[16][13]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1988 NBA playoffs, the Jazz defeated the 4th-seeded Trail Blazers in four games,[17] then took a 2–1 series lead over the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semi-finals, but lost in a hard-fought seven-game series.[18] The Lakers would defeat the Detroit Pistons in seven games in the 1988 NBA Finals, winning their second consecutive NBA championship.[19][20][21]

Following the season, Green was left unprotected in the 1988 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Charlotte Hornets expansion team, while Tripucka was traded to the Hornets,[22][23][24] and Turpin left to play overseas in Spain.

Draft picks

Main article: 1987 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 15 Jose Ortiz C  Puerto Rico Oregon State
3 61 Clarence Martin  United States Western Kentucky
3 68 Billy Donovan G  United States Providence
4 84 Reuben Holmes  United States Alabama State
5 107 Bart Kofoed PG  United States Nebraska-Kearney
6 130 Art Sabb  United States Bloomfield
7 153 Keith Webster  United States Harvard

Roster

1987–88 Utah Jazz roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F 41 Thurl Bailey 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1961–04–07 NC State
C 53 Mark Eaton 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 1957–01–24 UCLA
G 14 Rickey Green 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1954–08–18 Michigan
G 35 Darrell Griffith 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1958–06–16 Louisville
G 20 Bob Hansen 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1961–01–18 Iowa
G 25 Eddie Hughes 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1960–05–26 Colorado State
F 43 Marc Iavaroni 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1956–09–15 Virginia
G 11 Bart Kofoed 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1964–03–24 Nebraska–Kearney
F 32 Karl Malone 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1963–07–24 Louisiana Tech
F 33 Scott Roth 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 212 lb (96 kg) 1963–06–03 Wisconsin
F 22 Carey Scurry 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1962–12–04 Long Island
G 12 John Stockton 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1962–03–26 Gonzaga
F 4 Kelly Tripucka 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1959–02–16 Notre Dame
C 54 Melvin Turpin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1960–12–28 Kentucky
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Denver Nuggets 54 28 .659 – 35–6 19–22 18–12
x-Dallas Mavericks 53 29 .646 1 33–8 20–21 20–10
x-Utah Jazz 47 35 .573 7 33–8 14–27 18–12
x-Houston Rockets 46 36 .561 8 31–10 15–26 13–17
x-San Antonio Spurs 31 51 .378 23 23–18 8–33 12–18
Sacramento Kings 24 58 .293 30 19–22 5–36 9–21
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Los Angeles Lakers 62 20 .756 –
2 y-Denver Nuggets 54 28 .659 8
3 x-Dallas Mavericks 53 29 .646 9
4 x-Portland Trail Blazers 53 29 .646 9
5 x-Utah Jazz 47 35 .573 15
6 x-Houston Rockets 46 36 .561 16
7 x-Seattle SuperSonics 44 38 .537 18
8 x-San Antonio Spurs 31 51 .378 31
9 Phoenix Suns 28 54 .341 34
10 Sacramento Kings 24 58 .293 38
11 Golden State Warriors 20 62 .244 42
12 Los Angeles Clippers 17 65 .207 45

Game log

Regular season

1987–88 game log
Total: 47–35 (home: 33–8; road: 14–27)
November: 7–6 (home: 7–1; road: 0–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 6
6:30 p.m. MST 		@ Dallas L 93–95 Malone (25) Eaton (12) Stockton (8) Reunion Arena
17,007 		0–1
2 November 7 Sacramento W 121–100 Salt Palace 1–1
3 November 10 @ L.A. Clippers L 88–100 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 1–2
4 November 11
7:30 p.m. MST 		Dallas W 121–92 Malone (32) Malone (10) Stockton (14) Salt Palace
12,212 		2–2
5 November 13 Phoenix W 109–92 Salt Palace 3–2
6 November 14 @ Houston L 93–101 The Summit 3–3
7 November 17
7:30 p.m. MST 		Denver W 120–110 Malone (25) Eaton (25) Stockton (15) Salt Palace
11,461 		4–3
8 November 18 @ Phoenix L 80–90 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 4–4
9 November 20 Indiana W 112–81 Salt Palace 5–4
10 November 21 @ San Antonio L 119–120 HemisFair Arena 5–5
11 November 24
7:30 p.m. MST 		Washington W 100–83 Malone (22) Bailey,
Eaton (14) 		Green (8) Salt Palace
12,212 		6–5
12 November 27 Houston W 118–96 Salt Palace 7–5
13 November 30 Philadelphia L 100–106 Salt Palace 7–6
December: 7–8 (home: 4–2; road: 3–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
14 December 2
7:30 p.m. MST 		Chicago L 101–105 Malone (33) Malone (14) Stockton (11) Salt Palace
12,212 		7–7
15 December 4 New York W 104–92 Salt Palace 8–7
16 December 5 @ Sacramento W 126–117 ARCO Arena 9–7
17 December 8 @ San Antonio L 100–105 HemisFair Arena 9–8
18 December 10 @ Houston L 93–98 The Summit 9–9
19 December 12 Golden State W 127–93 Salt Palace 10–9
20 December 14 Seattle W 116–95 Salt Palace 11–9
21 December 16
5:30 p.m. MST 		@ Boston L 111–121 Malone (31) Malone (12) Stockton (11) Boston Garden
14,890 		11–10
22 December 18 @ Indiana L 97–121 Market Square Arena 11–11
23 December 19
5:30 p.m. MST 		@ Atlanta L 124–130 (OT) Griffith (32) Malone (17) Stockton (15) The Omni
12,515 		11–12
24 December 21 @ New Jersey L 95–106 Brendan Byrne Arena 11–13
25 December 23
5:30 p.m. MST 		@ Cleveland W 91–83 Malone (26) Eaton (16) Green (6) Richfield Coliseum
9,202 		12–13
26 December 26
2:00 p.m. MST 		L.A. Lakers L 109–117 Malone (26) Malone (14) Stockton (15) Salt Palace
12,212 		12–14
27 December 29
7:30 p.m. MST 		@ Denver W 98–97 Malone (37) Malone (13) Stockton (8) McNichols Sports Arena
10,621 		13–14
28 December 30 Golden State W 104–103 Salt Palace 14–14
January: 5–8 (home: 4–2; road: 1–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
29 January 2 @ Sacramento L 105–107 ARCO Arena 14–15
30 January 4
7:30 p.m. MST 		Boston L 99–107 Malone (25) Malone (17) Stockton (11) Salt Palace
12,212 		14–16
31 January 6 @ Philadelphia L 93–116 The Spectrum 14–17
32 January 8
7:00 p.m. MST 		@ Milwaukee W 111–107 Malone (29) Malone (11) Stockton (18) MECCA Arena
11,052 		15–17
33 January 9
6:30 p.m. MST 		@ Chicago L 91–113 Malone (25) Malone (8) Stockton (9) Chicago Stadium
17,877 		15–18
34 January 13 Portland W 116–104 Salt Palace 16–18
35 January 15 @ Seattle L 105–124 Seattle Center Coliseum 16–19
36 January 20
7:30 p.m. MST 		Detroit L 117–120 Malone (39) Malone (13) Stockton (11) Salt Palace
12,212 		16–20
37 January 22 San Antonio W 119–106 Salt Palace 17–20
38 January 25
7:30 p.m. MST 		Cleveland W 119–96 Malone (36) Malone (12) Stockton (13) Salt Palace
12,212 		18–20
39 January 26
8:30 p.m. MST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 100–111 Malone,
Stockton (18) 		Bailey,
Eaton,
Malone (9) 		Stockton (11) The Forum
17,505 		18–21
40 January 29 @ Golden State L 100–102 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 18–22
41 January 30
7:30 p.m. MST 		Atlanta W 115–109 Bailey (33) Eaton (14) Stockton (19) Salt Palace
12,212 		19–22
February: 9–4 (home: 6–1; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
42 February 1 Seattle W 105–100 Salt Palace 20–22
43 February 3 Sacramento W 123–91 Salt Palace 21–22
44 February 4 @ Portland W 126–123 Memorial Coliseum 22–22
All-Star Break
45 February 9
6:00 p.m. MST 		@ Dallas L 93–124 Malone (18) Bailey (9) Stockton (14) Reunion Arena
17,007 		22–23
46 February 10
7:30 p.m. MST 		Dallas W 93–80 Bailey (24) Malone (13) Stockton (16) Salt Palace
12,444 		23–23
47 February 14
7:30 p.m. MST 		@ Denver L 93–107 Malone (31) Eaton (12) Stockton (12) McNichols Sports Arena
9,971 		23–24
48 February 15 Portland W 112–94 Salt Palace 24–24
49 February 17 Phoenix W 108–103 Salt Palace 25–24
50 February 19 @ L.A. Clippers W 98–88 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 26–24
51 February 20 L.A. Clippers W 120–103 Salt Palace 26–25
52 February 24
7:30 p.m. MST 		Denver L 120–123 Malone (38) Malone (17) Stockton (16) Salt Palace
12,444 		27–25
53 February 26
8:30 p.m. MST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 105–112 Malone (28) Malone (16) Stockton (15) The Forum
17,505 		27–26
54 February 29 @ Sacramento W 115–110 ARCO Arena 28–26
March: 11–5 (home: 8–1; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
55 March 1 Houston W 113–112 Salt Palace 29–26
56 March 4 @ Seattle W 125–110 Seattle Center Coliseum 30–26
57 March 5 San Antonio W 125–106 Salt Palace 31–26
58 March 7 New Jersey W 105–81 Salt Palace 32–26
59 March 9
5:30 p.m. MST 		@ Detroit L 98–103 Malone (26) Malone (18) Stockton (11) Pontiac Silverdome
20,623 		32–27
60 March 11
6:00 p.m. MST 		@ Washington W 109–107 Malone (34) Malone,
Turpin (8) 		Stockton (16) Capital Centre
10,775 		33–27
61 March 12 @ New York L 105–108 Madison Square Garden 33–28
62 March 14
7:30 p.m. MST 		@ Denver W 116–115 Bailey (31) Eaton (12) Stockton (20) McNichols Sports Arena
10,172 		34–28
63 March 16
7:30 p.m. MST 		Dallas W 120–105 Malone (29) Malone (17) Stockton (17) Salt Palace
12,444 		35–28
64 March 18
7:30 p.m. MST 		Denver W 118–111 Malone (30) Eaton,
Malone (10) 		Stockton (15) Salt Palace
12,444 		36–28
65 March 19 @ San Antonio L 110–113 HemisFair Arena 36–29
66 March 22 Phoenix W 103–96 Salt Palace 37–29
67 March 24 Sacramento W 117–97 Salt Palace 38–29
68 March 26
7:30 p.m. MST 		Milwaukee L 105–107 Malone (33) Malone (14) Stockton (18) Salt Palace
12,444 		38–30
69 March 29
8:30 p.m. MST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 111–122 Malone (25) Malone (12) Stockton (18) The Forum
17,505 		38–31
70 March 31 Golden State W 115–92 Salt Palace 39–31
April: 8–4 (home: 4–1; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
71 April 2
7:30 p.m. MST 		L.A. Lakers W 106–92 Bailey (31) Malone (15) Stockton (16) Salt Palace
12,444 		40–31
72 April 5 @ Phoenix L 106–111 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 40–32
73 April 7 @ Houston L 107–113 The Summit 40–33
74 April 8
6:30 p.m. MDT 		@ Dallas L 95–118 Stockton (15) Iavaroni (6) Stockton (9) Reunion Arena
17,007 		40–34
75 April 11 @ Golden State W 113–102 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 41–34
76 April 12 L.A. Clippers W 100–93 Salt Palace 42–34
77 April 14 Portland L 123–128 Salt Palace 42–35
78 April 16 San Antonio W 107–82 Salt Palace 43–35
79 April 19 @ Portland W 129–122 Memorial Coliseum 44–35
80 April 20 @ L.A. Clippers W 112–106 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 45–35
81 April 22 @ Seattle W 110–109 Seattle Center Coliseum 46–35
82 April 23 Houston W 125–107 Salt Palace 47–35
1987–88 schedule

Playoffs

1988 playoff game log
Western Conference First Round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 28 @ Portland L 96–108 Thurl Bailey (31) Karl Malone (13) John Stockton (9) Memorial Coliseum
12,666 		0–1
2 April 30 @ Portland W 114–105 Karl Malone (37) Karl Malone (16) John Stockton (13) Memorial Coliseum
12,666 		1–1
3 May 4 Portland W 113–108 Karl Malone (35) Karl Malone (9) John Stockton (16) Salt Palace
12,444 		2–1
4 May 6 Portland W 111–96 Karl Malone (38) Mark Eaton (11) John Stockton (10) Salt Palace
12,444 		3–1
Western Conference Semifinals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 8
1:30 p.m. MDT 		@ L.A. Lakers L 91–110 Malone (29) Bailey (8) Stockton (16) The Forum
17,505 		0–1
2 May 10
9:00 p.m. MDT 		@ L.A. Lakers W 101–97 Malone (29) Eaton (12) Stockton (13) The Forum
17,505 		1–1
3 May 13
9:00 p.m. MDT 		L.A. Lakers W 96–89 Malone (29) Eaton (14) Stockton (12) Salt Palace
12,444 		2–1
4 May 15
1:30 p.m. MDT 		L.A. Lakers L 100–113 Malone (29) Malone (11) Stockton (13) Salt Palace
12,444 		2–2
5 May 17
8:30 p.m. MDT 		@ L.A. Lakers L 109–111 Bailey (28) Malone (16) Stockton (24) The Forum
17,505 		2–3
6 May 19
8:30 p.m. MDT 		L.A. Lakers W 108–80 Malone (27) Malone (11) Stockton (17) Salt Palace
12,444 		3–3
7 May 21
1:30 p.m. MDT 		@ L.A. Lakers L 98–109 Malone (31) Malone (15) Stockton (20) The Forum
17,505 		3–4
1988 schedule

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
Thurl Bailey
Darryl Dawkins
Mark Eaton
Rickey Green
Darrell Griffith
Bob Hansen
Eddie Hughes
Marc Iavaroni
Bart Kofoed
Karl Malone
Scott Roth
Carey Scurry
John Stockton
Kelly Tripucka
Melvin Turpin

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Thurl Bailey
Mark Eaton
Rickey Green
Bob Hansen
Eddie Hughes
Marc Iavaroni
Bart Kofoed
Karl Malone
Scott Roth
John Stockton
Kelly Tripucka
Melvin Turpin

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 23, 1987). "Guards Dominate Draft, But Robinson Goes First". The New York Times. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  2. ^ Edes, Gordon (June 23, 1987). "Only Surprise in the NBA Draft Is the Big Demand for Guards". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  3. ^ "1987 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  4. ^ Goldaper, Sam (October 9, 1987). "Dawkins Joins Jazz in Trade". The New York Times. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  5. ^ "Utah Gets Dawkins and Turpin in a Three-Team Trade". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 9, 1987. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  6. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 4, 1988". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  7. ^ "1987–88 Utah Jazz Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  8. ^ Greene, Bob (January 26, 1988). "Green Answer to Another Trivia Question". The Daily Union. p. 11. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  9. ^ "1987–88 Utah Jazz Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  10. ^ Barnard, Bill (February 7, 1988). "Today's NBA All-Star Game Will Be Homecoming of Sorts for 3 Players". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  11. ^ "1988 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  12. ^ "1988 NBA All-Star Game: East 138, West 133". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d "1987–88 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  14. ^ "Blazer Wins Improved Award". The Register-Guard. News Service Reports. May 13, 1988. p. 3C. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  15. ^ "Tarpley Is Sixth Man Winner". The Washington Post. News Services. May 18, 1988. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  16. ^ "Michael Jordan Named Top Defender; Mark Eaton Is 2nd". Deseret News. May 14, 1988. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  17. ^ "1988 NBA Western Conference First Round: Jazz vs. Trail Blazers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  18. ^ "1988 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Jazz vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  19. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 22, 1988). "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Lakers Hold Off Pesky Pistons to Regain Their Title". The New York Times. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  20. ^ "Lakers Repeat as Champions in Tight Game". Los Angeles Times. June 22, 1988. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  21. ^ "1988 NBA Finals: Pistons vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  22. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 24, 1988). "Miami Chooses "Who?" First". The New York Times. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  23. ^ Edes, Gordon (June 24, 1988). "Billy Thompson Goes to Miami; Valentine Winds Up in Cleveland". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  24. ^ "1988 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
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