Illness prevented the Mailman's appointed rounds last week in Utah's loss to the Pistons.

On Friday night, Karl Malone suited up, but it was to no avail as the Pistons played one of their best games of the young season in an 86-75 victory at the Palace.

It was the first time the Pistons swept a home-and-home series with the Jazz since the 1988-89 season. With a 7-2 record, the Pistons are off to their best start since going 10-1 to begin the 1996-97 season.