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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ The Mailman's back.

Karl Malone returned to Utah's lineup on Monday night, scoring 10 of his 13 points in the third quarter to lead the Jazz to a 101-94 exhibition victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Malone, 36, missed six exhibition games after straining his lower back during training camp. He looked rusty and the Jazz were missing their rhythm during the first quarter, but Malone found his stride in the third.

Leading 53-46 at halftime, the Jazz scored the first seven points of the third quarter, capping the burst with a fast-break basket from John Stockton to Malone. Utah added an 11-3 run midway through the period to extend the lead to 75-58.

The near-capacity crowd of 17,532 welcomed Malone back with a huge cheer when he was introduced as a starter. The fans booed when Rik Smits fouled him hard as he drove the basket in the third quarter.

Malone was 3-for-9 from the floor but made up for it by shooting 7-for-9 from the foul line. He had 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals, and got called for a technical foul.

Jeff Hornacek led the Jazz with 18 points. Bryon Russell scored 16, Howard Eisley 14 and John Stockton had 12 points and eight assists.

With Malone, Stockton and Hornacek on the bench in the fourth quarter, the Pacers chipped at the lead and cut their deficit to 99-94 with 1:21 to play on Mark Pope's 3-pointer. It was their final points.

Malone started slowly. He played nine minutes in the first half, going scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting. He had five rebounds, two assists, three turnovers and three fouls.

The Mailman showed his spirited side, too. He was hit with a technical foul for arguing with referee Hugh Evans in the first quarter.

Chris Mullin and Austin Croshere scored 16 points each for Indiana, while Travis Best had 11 and Jalen Rose added 10.

Reggie Miller didn't play for the Pacers because of shin splints. Utah's Greg Ostertag didn't attend because of an undisclosed family emergency.