While Karl Malone's physical condition deteriorated this week, his negotiating position got a lot healthier. Because when the Mailman recovered, so did the Jazz offense.
 
Malone scored 27 points, added 11 rebounds and steered Utah to its best offensive showing of the season, a virtuoso performance that surprised . . . well, almost nobody.
 
"There was no doubt in my mind that he would have a good game tonight," said Scott Padgett after the Jazz improved to 2-4 by beating Atlanta, 110-97 before 18,107 in the Delta Center.