Jazz hand Sonics first preseason loss, 90-89

SALT LAKE CITY – Rookie Mo Williams hit a clutch jumper and Raja Bell followed with the game-winning shot at the buzzer as the Utah Jazz remained unbeaten in the preseason by beating the Seattle SuperSonics 90-89 Saturday night.

Bell, a free agent who signed with the Jazz just last month, had been 0-for-4 from the floor before hitting a short jumper from the left side of the lane as time expired. The officials reviewed the play and the basket stood as Utah won its first Salt Lake City appearance in the post-John Stockton and Karl Malone era.

The Jazz are trying to put together a new lineup without Stockton, who retired, and Malone, who left as a free agent. Andrei Kirilenko played the most of the returning starters and led the Jazz with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Sasha Pavlovic, Utah’s first-round draft pick, scored nine points in 19 minutes and Demetrius Alexander added nine points for the Jazz.

Carlos Arroyo, one of several players trying to take over the point guard spot Stockton held since 1987, scored 11 points after replacing Raul Lopez when Lopez drew his second foul early in the first quarter.

Neither Arroyo nor Lopez played in the second half, giving Williams, Utah’s second-round draft pick, and former Weber State player Jermaine Boyette a look. Williams hit a jumper that got the Jazz to 89-88 with less than a minute left and finished with eight points.

Williams also missed a late layup attempt that could have put the Jazz ahead, but Seattle’s Reggie Evans missed both free throw attempts and Utah had a final chance to win it on Bell’s shot.

Brent Barry scored 19 points to lead the Sonics, who lost for the first time in the preseason. Richie Frahm, a free agent trying to make the team after playing in Turkey last season, scored 15 for Seattle. Frahm had 13 Saturday in the Sonics’ 96-86 win over Houston on Friday.

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