Stockton Reaches Milestone

Karl Malone scored 37 points, John Stockton reached the 12,000-assist mark and the Utah Jazz defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 114-93, Monday night at Charlotte, N.C.

Utah improved to 5-1 on its seven-game Eastern swing by holding Charlotte without a field goal for a 6 1/2-minute span bridging the second and third quarters.

Stockton, already the NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals, had 23 points to go with five assists and two steals. That boosted his 13-year career totals to 12,000 assists and 2,499 steals.

Atlanta 112, Orlando 107--The Hawks rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final 48.9 seconds of regulation and defeated the Magic in overtime at Atlanta.

Steve Smith scored 38 points, and Christian Laettner added 27 for the Hawks.

Penny Hardaway, who led the Magic with 35 points, scored the first basket of the overtime, but Blaylock put the Hawks ahead to stay, 101-100, with a three-point basket.

Washington 109, San Antonio 85--Chris Webber scored 24 points and Rod Strickland had 16 to lead the Bullets at San Antonio.

The Bullets made their first eight shots of the third quarter to break open a close game.

Boston 126, Milwaukee 117--David Wesley and Todd Day scored nine points apiece in a decisive second-half run as the Celtics broke a franchise record-tying, seven-game home losing streak with the victory at Boston.

Cleveland 85, Detroit 82--Tyrone Hill’s short hook with 38 seconds left put Cleveland in front and Bob Sura added two free throws in the final seconds as the Cavaliers won at Cleveland.

Phoenix 116, Golden State 95--Jason Kidd scored a season-high 33 points and Kevin Johnson had 19 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds as the Suns rallied to win at San Jose.

Phoenix has won five of its last six and trails Sacramento and the Clippers by only a game in the race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.