Lakers Light 16th Candle in Streak as Magic Returns : Pro basketball: He scores 22 points, has 13 assists in 30 minutes as the Clippers fall, 116-102.

Sweet 16 and headed for the beach, it’s good to be a Laker at the All-Star break.

With their Magic man back on the job, they held off the Clippers, 116-102, Tuesday night before 17,230 in the Forum for their 16th consecutive victory, the longest winning streak in the NBA in nine seasons.

In a half-season, they have posted their worst start in 12 years and longest winning streak in 19.

Magic Johnson, returning from Sunday’s concussion and amnesia, played 30 minutes and scored 22 points with 13 assists.

“I don’t think he forgot how to play,” Laker Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

Since Johnson’s injury was generally thought to be minor, his teammates had expressed confidence in his return. Or as Mychal Thompson put it, “He’ll play, as long as he can spell his name and count his money.”

The game was no rout. The Clippers played hard and the Lakers averaged a turnover a minute for the first eight. They led by only 46-42 late in the second quarter until a 7-0 run to end the half gave them some breathing room.

Said Dunleavy: “I told them at halftime, ‘Vacation doesn’t start ‘til tomorrow.’ ”

The Lakers didn’t run away and hide in the second half, either, but they were never threatened. Suddenly, all but Johnson and James Worthy, bound for the All-Star game, have a week off before the next game, at Phoenix on Tuesday.

Dunleavy, tired from his first half-season as a coach, passed up the chance to accept congratulations at Charlotte, N.C., in favor of staying home.

“It’s more important for me to be with my family,” he said. “Have a chance to hang around L.A. Maybe go out to dinner, try a movie.”

Thompson said he would pass his time playing golf and tennis and baby-sitting.

Vlade Divac said he was headed for the mountains. Last year he said he wanted to look around but now, he says, “I know L.A.”

So much for the guys with the weekend off.

And those headed for Charlotte?

“If I can get away and spend some Earvin time, instead of Magic time, I’ll be OK,” Johnson said. “I think the guys feel the same way.

“I’ll be full-tilt again, busting heads. Hopefully I’ll bust somebody’s head.

Laker Notes

Mike Dunleavy, asked if he is thinking of the Laker record 33-game streak: “No. I subtract 16 from 33 and it equals 17. that’s a long way off.” . . . Said Clipper Coach Mike Schuler: “I thought that for the most part, we competed and played hard. I think we all aspire to play as well as they do, to be as good as they are.” . . . Benoit Benjamin had his third single-figure rebounding game in four. After a 12-game span in which he averaged 18 rebounds, Benjamin is averaging eight over his last four outings.

Magic Johnson on his amnesia: “It was really something. He (trainer Gary Vitti) asked me where we were. I knew that. He asked me who he was. I knew that. He said, ‘Do you know who we’re playing?’ I said, ‘Are we playing a game?’ . . . When they’re asking you questions and you can’t respond, it’s scary. But on the other hand, I can say I’ve experienced almost everything. If I’m going to get knocked out, at least I got knocked out in a basketball game, not on the street or in a bar like some other guys. . . . I’m glad I’m living, breathing and laughing about it.” . . . NBC’s Mike Fratello, asked who he likes in the West: “I think you’re crazy if you go against the Lakers.”

(Orange County Edition) LAKER WINNING STREAK

NO. DATE SCORE 1 Jan. 9 *Lakers 108, Utah 85 2 Jan. 11 *Lakers 105, Cleveland 93 3 Jan. 13 *Lakers 116, Houston 97 4 Jan. 15 *Lakers 128, Charlotte 103 5 Jan. 17 Lakers 93, Sacramento 78 6 Jan. 18 *Lakers 105, Seattle 96 7 Jan. 21 Lakers 120, Indiana 114 8 Jan. 22 Lakers 116, Orlando 96 9 Jan. 24 Lakers 113, Charlotte 93 10 Jan. 25 Lakers 108, N.J. 103 OT 11 Jan. 27 Lakers 104, Boston 87 12 Jan. 29 *Lakers 110, N.J. 89 13 Jan. 31 *Lakers 116, Atlanta 103 14 Feb. 1 Lakers 106, Clippers 92 15 Feb. 3 *Lakers 99, Chicago 86 16 Feb. 5 *Lakers 116, Clippers 102

* at Forum.