Stockton Scores Season-High 31 In Win Over Nets

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John Stockton had a season-high 31 points and 11 assists, and the Utah Jazz wore down the New Jersey Nets in the second half in posting a 117-102 victory Wednesday night at East Rutherford, N.J.

Karl Malone had 20 of his 27 points in the final half, and Greg Ostertag added 10 points and 19 rebounds as the Jazz had all five starters in double figures in winning for the 15th time in 18 games.

Byron Russell hit three long 3-pointers in the second half and finished with 15, while Jeff Hornacek had 14.

Stockton’s career best is 34 points. Earlier this year, he scored a season-low two points in a blowout over New Jersey.

Heinsohn apologizes

SportsChannel commentator Tom Heinsohn apologized on air for suggesting that Atlanta Hawks center Dikembe Mutombo would go back to Africa for the weekend and hunt lions.

Heinsohn apologized Tuesday just before the Celtics’ game against the Chicago Bulls. He made the statement about Mutombo during Sunday’s Celtics game against the Atlanta Hawks.

“Some fans may have taken out of context or misinterpreted comments I made about Dikembe Mutombo,” Heinsohn said. “I regret if anyone misunderstood these comments as unflattering. Everyone who knows me knows that I meant nothing malicious by the remarks and that I have nothing but the greatest respect for Dikembe as an athlete, a man, and an ambassador for the sport of basketball.”

During the game, Heinsohn talked about Mutombo, who was being taken out.

“He is going back to Africa for the weekend,” Heinsohn said. “He’s going to hunt him a lion or two.”

Rodman deposition to be used

A deposition from Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman will be included in a lawsuit over a boating accident on Lewisville Lake in Texas in which a woman was maimed.

The Lewisville Leader reported that Rodman, who grew up in nearby Dallas, was questioned last Nov. 29 for knowledge he might have had of the 1995 hit-and-run accident, which is still unsolved.

Rodman reportedly owned a cigarette-style boat like the one involved in the accident and was using it on Lewisville Lake at the time.

Also on the courts

At Houston, Penny Hardaway scored 31 points and hit a 10-foot jump shot with 1.1 seconds left to lead Orlando to a 96-95 victory over Houston.

At Landover, Md., Chris Webber returned from a three-game absence to score 32 points, including 21 in the decisive first half, as the Washington Bullets handed Vancouver its 11th straight loss 104-82.

At Philadelphia, Scottie Pippen scored 31 points and the Chicago Bulls withstood Allen Iverson’s highlight-reel plays and 37 points as they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 108-104. It was the sixth 30-point game of the season for Pippen and his first since Feb. 18, and it included six points in the final 2 minutes to help keep Chicago ahead.