NBA Jazz lose; playoff streak now at 18

The Kings disposed of Utah in five games to advance to the second round.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- For the 18th straight time, the Utah Jazz finished with a playoff loss.
For the first time, their opponents and a building full of hostile fans gave a standing ovation to Karl Malone and John Stockton, who might never again walk off the court together.
Chris Webber had 26 points and 11 rebounds, and Peja Stojakovic scored 22 points as the Sacramento Kings advanced to the second round by beating the Jazz 111-91 Wednesday night, winning the best-of-seven series in five games.
The Kings clearly were the better team in the most one-sided series of the first round of the playoffs.
May be milestone
The final game wasn't much more competitive than the series -- but the game still might turn out to be a milestone in NBA history.
That's because it might have been the final 48 minutes in the partnership between Stockton and Malone, the Jazz cornerstones who were the definition of teamwork and toughness during 18 years together.
Both are considering new paths in life: Malone might join another team, while Stockton might retire.
Coach Jerry Sloan removed them simultaneously with 5:01 left -- and the Arco Arena fans couldn't contain themselves. The Kings also joined their fans for a surprisingly emotional standing ovation.
"I think what we need to realize is I don't want to sway John one way or the other, or vice versa," Malone said. "We will have an opportunity to get together, and we'll talk about things. It's kind of a tough situation.
"To say that you appreciate a guy, and you love the guy for what he stands for -- I am not ashamed to say it. I think that he taught me how to compete, and I think we made each other better."
Long time in loop
The 41-year-old Stockton will consider retirement after being an effective point guard for 19 seasons -- longer than any player in league history.
"I haven't stopped to think about that decision yet," Stockton said. "Obviously, I have some time to think about it now. I'd prefer to compliment a very good team on basically manhandling us the whole series."
Malone, the NBA's second-leading career scorer, has strongly hinted he plans to finally follow through on his frequent threats to leave Utah to play for a championship contender. Lakers coach Phil Jackson already has begun campaigning for his services, much to the chagrin of Jazz officials.
What's more, Sloan has hinted he might be ready to retire after 15 seasons. He's the longest-tenured coach or manager in the four major pro sports.
"I don't worry about what I'm doing, because I don't know," Sloan said. "We've always taken the approach that these guys are going to do what they want to do. They've given everything they can give to this team."
Never trailed
The Kings' methodical victory was almost an afterthought -- even to the Kings, who never trailed and controlled the game's pace. Bobby Jackson had 18 points and six assists for Sacramento, which will face the winner of the Dallas-Portland series in the conference semifinals.
"The main thing was to get this done," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "Now you're in the playoffs, and now you've played five games. We played a tough opponent. Now you get on a little roll here, and you understand what you're involved in. Now, you need to keep taking it up a notch."