Jazz 94, Hornets 90
Al Jefferson scored 22 points, Devin Harris added 19 and the Utah Jazz gained separation late to beat the visiting New Orleans Hornets 94-90 on Monday night.
Josh Howard had 13 points and C.J. Miles 11 to help the Jazz win for the second time this season – both coming at home.
The Hornets took a four-point lead into the fourth quarter before Miles’ 3-pointer put the Jazz ahead 83-82. The teams traded the lead over the ensuing few minutes when Harris made a 3-pointer with 1:57 left for an 89-86 cushion in favor of Utah.
Following a Jarrett Jack turnover, Paul Millsap finished a dunk from Howard to make it 91-86 with 55 seconds remaining.
Jack cut it to 91-88 with a driving layup, but Marco Belinelli committed a charge on the next possession with the Hornets having a chance to tie.
Harris was fouled intentionally and hit a pair of free throws to help ice things.
Jack finished with 27 points and 11 assists while Jason Smith had 16 points for New Orleans, which lost its third in a row after opening the season with two consecutive victories.
Hornets shooting guard and leading scorer Eric Gordon missed his fourth straight game with a knee injury.