SACRAMENTO, CALIF. ? In their playoff opener, the Sacramento Kings showed the discipline they’ll need to contend for the NBA title.

Chris Webber had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Peja Stojakovic scored 16 points as the Kings beat the Utah Jazz, 96-90, Saturday night in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Slowed once again by Utah’s famously deliberate style, the high-scoring Kings nursed a small lead through the second half, but never breathed easily. The seventh-seeded Jazz got an outstanding game from Karl Malone, who had 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in the first game of his 18th trip to the playoffs.

Jim Jackson scored 15 points for the Kings, who are facing the Jazz in the first round of the playoffs for the third time in five seasons. As usual in the teams’ meetings, Utah controlled the tempo — and as usual, the Kings won.

The Pacific Division champions have won 13 of their last 15 against Utah, including a 3-1 series victory in the first round last season.

In the first game of what might be the final playoff run in Malone’s 18-year partnership with John Stockton, the Jazz shut down Sacramento’s fast break, rebounded well and kept the score low against the NBA’s third-best offense.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Monday night at Sacramento.