Warriors point guard Larry Hughes is convinced that his slumping team is close to a breakthrough. But after losing for the 10th time in 11 games, he would settle for a lucky bounce.

Bryon Russell denied the Warriors a potential game-tying possession Monday by tapping an offensive rebound out of a crowd under the Utah basket with 20.5 seconds remaining. Russell then made 5 of 6 free-throw attempts as the Jazz held on for a 101-99 victory at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

``When Russell tipped that ball out there, that could have been it for us right there,'' said Hughes, who was among the players scrambling for the errant shot with the Jazz leading 96-94. ``That's just what's been happening. If we get one or two more plays and make something happen, we're right there.''

Three of the Warriors' past four losses have come by six points or fewer, and they had chances to turn away the Jazz and overcome Karl Malone's 37-point, 11-rebound performance.

But despite 25 points from Antawn Jamison and six double-digit scorers, another opportunity slipped away.