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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- If age is getting the best of John Stockton and the Utah Jazz, it didn't appear that way Saturday.

With Stockton playing a pivotal role and Karl Malone and Bryon Russell each scoring 24

	Karl Malone, left, takes a shot over Jason Williams.

The win was the ninth in 11 games for the Jazz, who snapped Sacramento's seven-game winning streak. The Kings had won 10 straight at home.

Stockton, 37, played like he was 10 years younger, shooting 9-of-11, scoring 22 points and handing out 13 assists. He also made three big free throws in the final 20 seconds as the Jazz avenged a loss to Sacramento earlier this season.

Stocked nearly doubled his usual point production, but typically downplayed his game.

"The shooting all seems to balance out. One night I can't hit a shot and the next night you can't miss," Stockton said. "I didn't feel any different today."

The nationally televised game had a playoff-like atmosphere for the Sacramento fans, who still recall Utah barely getting past the Kings in an emotional five-game playoff series last year in the opening round. For the Jazz, though, it was business as usual.

"You could tell walking in here it was a huge game for them. It was almost like a college atmosphere," said Utah reserve forward Armen Gilliam, who had all six of his points in the fourth quarter. "It seems like Utah is Sacramento's main rival. For us it was just another game. We think we have the better team, we don't have anything to prove."

Clinging to a 96-94 lead, Malone drove the lane for a basket and then followed with a jumper, putting Utah ahead 100-94 with 1:09 left.

Twice the Kings pulled within a basket in the final 21 seconds. Stockton's two free throws with 14.7 second left put the Jazz ahead 104-103. Chris Webber missed two 3-point shots in the closing moments as the Jazz held on for the victory.

It was a vintage game for the Jazz, controlling the tempo and playing solid defense. It didn't hurt that they shot 52 percent.

"People ought to learn from this team. They run the best halfcourt offense in the league," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "Stockton, Malone and all those guys are a team that you should learn from."

Jason Williams scored 22 points and Webber had 21 points and seven rebounds. Nick Anderson scored 15 points for the Kings, who trailed by 16 points midway through the third quarter.

After trailing by 11 points midway through the fourth quarter, Jon Barry had five points as Sacramento outscored Utah 11-2 and pulled to 96-94 with 2:09 remaining.

"They beat us pretty good the last time and we were just fortunate to win today because they were right there all day long with us," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "It looked like they were going to have another one of those games."

Utah opened the fourth quarter with 10 straight points, assuming an 88-78 lead. Sacramento missed its first six shots of the period and went nearly six minutes without a field goal.

Williams ignited the Kings during the third quarter. He hit two 3-pointers, made a steal that resulted in a three-point play and finished with 11 points, helping the Kings pull even at 78-78.

With Stockton directing the attack and also scoring, the Jazz shot 60 percent in the first half, led by 16 at one point and held a 57-49 advantage by intermission.

Stockton made all six of his shots, scored 13 points and handed out six assists in the opening half. Russell scored 14 points and Malone had 11.

Notes
Webber missed nine of 10 shots in the first quarter and finished 8-of-27. ... The Jazz made 14-of-26 shots in the first quarter and led 30-19. ... Utah starting guard Jeff Hornacek did not make the trip. He was out with a lower back strain and inflamed left knee.