LOS ANGELES, 30 March 2004 — Even though Karl Malone has been delivering for years, Kobe Bryant put a late stamp on “The Mailman’s” first game against his former team to ensure the outcome. Bryant scored 10 of his 34 points in the final two minutes, and the surging Los Angeles Lakers stretched their winning streak to eight games, with a hard-earned 91-84 victory over the scrappy Utah Jazz on Sunday night.

“It was a tough win for us, they’re a physical team” Bryant said. “They’re a tough team to put away but we managed the right push at the right time.”

Malone spent 18 seasons with the Jazz, before the best player in franchise history signed with the Lakers as a free agent, to pursue his first NBA championship ring.

A one-game suspension and a torn ligament in his right knee caused Malone to miss the first three meetings with Utah. But the two-time Most Valuable Player came out on top in a mixed emotional evening at Staples Center. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan had gracious comments for his former star player and longtime friend.

The Lakers were playing confidently following blowout home victories over elite clubs Sacramento and Minnesota this week.

They built a 16-point third-quarter cushion only to suffer a temporary meltdown. Radja Bell scored 13 of his career-high 26 points in the fourth quarter, including two free throws, to give the Jazz a short-lived 79-77 lead with 4:29 remaining.

The Lakers responded with a 14-5 closing run, however. Gary Payton scored the first four, and Bryant the final 10, to seal the victory.

Payton scored 17 points and became just the sixth player in league history to eclipse 6,000 career assists. Shaquille O’Neal collected 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Elsewhere:

Mavericks 118 Magic 88

Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and nine rebounds as the visiting Mavericks sent the Magic to their eighth straight loss. Rookie Josh Howard matched a season high with 19 points, along with 12 rebounds for Dallas, which snapped a three-game slide.

Grizzlies 94 Raptors 88

Pau Gasol had 23 points and 18 rebounds, and Jason Williams scored eight points in the last three minutes, as the Grizzlies clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history.

Rockets 111 Bucks 107 (OT)

Yao Ming collected 27 points, along with 13 rebounds and five blocks, as the Rockets rallied from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to edge the host Bucks in overtime.

Houston’s Steve Francis had 23 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Pacers 87 Heat 80

Jermaine O’Neal returned from a bruised knee with 23 points and 14 rebounds as the host Pacers stopped the Heat’s seven-game winning streak. Ron Artest collected 18 points, 12 rebounds and six steals for league best Indiana (54-19).

Celtics 89 Philadelphia 76ers 65

Mark Blount, Jiri Welsch and Ricky Davis scored 13 points apiece as the host Celtics held the 76ers to a season-low 65 points.

Kings 100 Wizards 92

Peja Stojakovic had 29 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris Webber added 23 points, nine boards and seven assists, helping the Kings avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season.

Warriors 105 Clippers 77

Erick Dampier collected 16 points and a career-high 25 rebounds, while Jason Richardson scored 20 points, leading the host Warriors to their seventh straight win.