Hornets 86, Jazz 80
Chris Kaman returned to the lineup with 27 points and 13 rebounds as the host New Orleans Hornets snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 86-80 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday.
Greivis Vasquez added 12 points and 10 assists and Gustavo Ayon chipped in 13 points and nine boards for the Hornets, who remain the only team in the West with single-digit victories (5-23).
The Jazz have dropped six of their last eight and will finish up a back-to-back-to-back set at the Western Conference-best Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
New Orleans was again without five players, with Emeka Okafor (knee) replacing Kaman (ankle) among the wounded.
Kaman bounced right back, scoring eight points during a 20-6 run beginning the third quarter as the Hornets took over. New Orleans stretched the lead to as much as 63-43 late in the third.
Utah made a move to get back into it in the fourth quarter thanks mostly to the reserves. The Jazz cut a 17-point deficit with 7:31 remaining down to 83-80 with a 21-7 burst, highlighted by Earl Watson’s 3-pointer from 34 feet out as the shot clock was expiring.
Kaman split a pair of free throws and Trevor Ariza hit two to seal the win.
Al Jefferson collected 14 points and 12 rebounds for Utah.