News from May 22. The NBA fined Chicago $50,000 for failing to make their players available to the media following Thursday's practice. Atlanta fired assistant coach Dick Helm. Uta 109, LAL 98 - at LAL Karl Malone (Uta) had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Bryon Russell (Uta) had 17 points including 6-6 FG and 3-3 3-pointers. Shandon Anderson (Uta) had 13 points including 6-9 FG. Chris Morris (Uta) had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) had 39 points including 5-13 FT, 15 rebounds, and 5 turnovers. Eddie Jones (LAL) had 16 points including 6-19 FG, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Nick Van Exel (LAL) had 10 points including 2-13 FG and 1-8 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. Uta shot 52% (39-75) FG and LAL shot 41.2% (35-85) FG. Uta leads the series 3-0. Playoff Standings 1st Round 2nd Round 3rd Round Finals (Best of 5) (Best of 7) (Best of 7) (Best of 7) 1 Utah (3) _____ 8 Houston (2) |_ 1 Utah (4) _ _ 5 San Antonio (1) | 4 Phoenix (1) _| |_ 1 Utah (3) _ 5 San Antonio (3) _ 3 LA Lakers (0) | | | 2 Seattle (3) ___ | | 7 Minnesota (2) |_ 2 Seattle (1) ___| | _ 3 LA Lakers (4) | 3 LA Lakers (3) ___| | 6 Portland (1) |_ __________ _ __________ | 1 Chicago (3) __ | 8 New Jersey (0) |_ 1 Chicago (4) ___ | _ 4 Charlotte (1) | | 4 Charlotte (3) ___| | | 5 Atlanta (1) |_ 1 Chicago (2) ___| _ 3 Indiana (0) 2 Miami (2) ____ | 7 New York (3) |_ 7 New York (1) ____| _ 3 Indiana (4) 3 Indiana (3) ___| 6 Cleveland (1)