Stockton Within 10 Of The Record Pursuit Of Magic’s Mark Overshadows Jazz Streak, Which Reaches 13 Games

With a 13-game winning streak going, the Utah Jazz have a lot more important things to concentrate on than John Stockton’s pursuit of Magic Johnson’s assists record.

But that pursuit won’t be a concern much longer. Stockton had 14 assists Monday night, putting him within 10 of the former Lakers star’s NBA career record of 9,921 as Utah beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-80.

Stockton, averaging 12.2 assists per game, gets a chance to break or tie the record Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets.

“I hope John gets it in the first quarter,” Karl Malone said. “John won’t say it, so I’ll say it for him: It’s starting to get on our nerves.”

Malone scored 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, and the Jazz converted 61 percent of their shots in handing the Timberwolves their seventh loss in their last 11 games. David Benoit added 15 points and Stockton and Adam Keefe each chipped in 11.

Stockton had 12 assists in the first half and played only 30 minutes in the game, sitting out most of the fourth quarter.

Isaiah Rider led the Wolves with 19 points, but his 6-of-15 shooting was offset by 4-of-11 by Christian Laettner and 1-of-11 by Donyell Marshall.

Each had nine points as the Timberwolves shot 36 percent and were outrebounded 58-38 in their second-worst loss of the season.

“They were very, very good and we were very, very bad,” said Minnesota coach Bill Blair, whose frustration peaked in the fourth quarter when he drew his second technical foul and was ejected. “We did a poor job on Karl. He was a key early. We played a good team and they kicked our butt. We’ve got to put it behind us quickly.”

Malone made his first seven shots and was 11 of 12 for the game, as Utah finished January 14-1, 6 games ahead of secondplace San Antonio in the Midwest Division.

“We are playing great defense now,” Keefe said. “We are concentrating on doing the little things well. The unselfishness on this team is amazing.”

Utah used a 15-2 run, with Stockton, Antoine Carr and Keefe each scoring four during the spurt, to lead 44-25 with 6:38 remaining in the first half.

Utah’s largest lead came with 7:23 left in the game when Jamie Watson for 100-62.