Forgive Karl Malone for getting a little nostalgic, but he just couldn't help it.
     
Not this close to Christmas.
     
Not when the 15-12 Jazz are playing again like the Jazz of old, taking a three-game win streak into the brief holiday break.
     
And especially not after most of the lights of the Compaq Center blew out with two minutes and 49 seconds to go in Utah's 96-91 victory over Houston on Monday night.
     
"It was kind of like a little boy growing up, when you're out there playing, and the sun's setting, and you want to make that last shot before you go home, 'cause Mom said, 'Don't let the sun go down, don't let the sun set, and you're not at home,' " the 39-year-old Malone said after scoring a season-high 31 points.