Forget Letters, Mailman Has the Figures

Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone was holding court with reporters in a corner of the locker room when teammate John Stockton walked by.

“Mr. Triple-double,” Stockton said with a laugh.

Malone recorded the first triple-double of his 11-year NBA career, getting 27 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists as the Jazz handed the Clippers their fourth consecutive loss, 122-113, Friday night before 19,911 at the Delta Center.

“I’ve been close a couple times in 10 1/2 years, so it’s satisfying to finally get a triple-double,” Malone said.

Fittingly, Malone completed the feat by throwing a pass to set up Stockton for a layup with 7:57 remaining. Stockton became the NBA’s all-time assist leader last season by throwing a pass to set up Malone for a basket.

“I guess we’re two peas in a pod,” Malone said. “You can’t have one without the other.”

Said Stockton: “He’s really been at the door a lot of times with this and been one rebound short or one assist short and it seems like those are the games where he always comes out at the end of the third quarter and it’s not our style to put anybody back in. He’s earned it.”

Bidding to lead the NBA in assists for the ninth consecutive season, Stockton has earned more acclaim for his passing than his shooting.

However, he was more offensive-minded against the Clippers, scoring a season-high 31 points and passing off for 11 assists as the Jazz (31-14) won for the eighth time in their last nine games.

Asked if he was looking to shoot more against the Clippers, Stockton said, “That’s just the way it worked out. Karl was passing it very well and everyone executed well. I took some shots and they fell.”

Said Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan: “That wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. The shots were there, he took them, and he was able to make them.”

Terry Dehere had a career-high 31 points in 28 minutes off the bench as the Clippers lost their fourth consecutive game. Rookie guard Brent Barry had a season-high 23, making six of 10 three-point shots.

“Our guard play was excellent tonight,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said. “I thought Dehere and Barry both did a good job. Defensively, we probably could have done a little better job overall, but I think this was one of their best efforts of the season.”

Drafted as a shooting guard in 1993, Dehere was switched to point guard after shooting 39.7% in his first two seasons. But he’s been more consistent this season, averaging 15.8 points in his last six games.

Averaging 18 points in his last three games, Barry made eight of 15 shots, including three three-point baskets. However, he wasn’t satisfied with his effort because he played poor defense on Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek, who had 27 points, including eight in the final quarter as the Jazz held off the Clippers (16-28).

“Jeff Hornacek at the other end pretty much got into us and I learned a few lessons tonight about defense,” Barry said. “Any time you’re putting a lot of effort into your offensive game, you need to put just as much into your defensive game.”

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Clipper Notes

Center Brian Williams sat out his third game in a row because of a strained left arch. Stanley Roberts, who started in place of Williams, played only nine minutes after re-injuring his right heel. Reserve center Keith Tower was ineffective, getting only three points and three rebounds in 24 minutes.