Jazz 95, 76ers 91
SALT LAKE CITY -- Forward Gordon Hayward scored 24 points and hit a game-winning 3-pointer to lead the shorthanded Utah Jazz to a 95-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
The Jazz seemed to be on their way to an easy win after hitting their first seven shots, scoring 37 points in the first quarter and taking a 21-point lead in the first half.
The 76ers stormed back thanks to big games from recently acquired guard Ish Smith (22 points), forward Nerlens Noel (18) and forward Richaun Holmes (18).
Philadelphia had the lead in the final minute and had a chance to tie it or win it in the last seconds before falling short.
The Jazz improved to 13-16 despite missing starting big men Derrick Favors (back spasms) and Rudy Gobert (knee sprain) along with sixth man Alec Burks (broken leg).
The 76ers, playing without center Jahlil Okafor (right knee soreness), dropped to 2-31 and blew an opportunity to win for the second game in a row for the first time this season. Philadelphia picked up its second win Friday in Phoenix 111-104.
Hayward only shot 6 for 21, but he hit the biggest shot of the night for the Jazz when he drained a 3-pointer with 33.5 seconds remaining after the 76ers took a lead.
Philadelphia missed multiple opportunities to go ahead in the ensuing moments, and Jazz guard Rodney Hood sealed the win with two free throws with less than a second to go after grabbing a defensive rebound off Smith's miss.
Guard Trey Burke scored 14 points, Hood contributed 13 and center Jeff Withey totaled a season-high 11 points and 12 rebounds for Utah. The injury-plagued Jazz, trying to hold on to the eighth playoff spot in the West, were in desperate need of a victory after consecutive losses to Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Utah led by as many as 17 points in the third quarter, but the 76ers ended the period on a 16-4 run to tie it. Noel dunked to give Philly its first lead at 78-76 late in the third.
The 76ers continued their push in the fourth quarter and held an 82-78 lead --and had chances to extend that -- before the Jazz made a move.
Burke hit a jumper to spark an 8-0 run for the Jazz, but the 76ers weren't done yet.
Smith tied the game with a 3-pointer and connected with Noel for a second late alley-oop dunk, putting the Sixers up 91-89 in the final minute.
Hayward responded with his deep shot as the Jazz reclaimed the lead for good.
NOTES: Jazz coach Quin Snyder on F-C Derrick Favors, who missed his second game with back spasms: "Those backs can be temperamental. He is doing everything he can to get health, but he's not there yet. I'm not a doctor, but I think rest is part of it.'' ... Favors had 20 points and 12 rebounds in the Jazz's 99-71 victory at Philadelphia on Oct. 30. ... 76ers coach Brett Brown on new assistant Mike D'Antoni: "I would pay to go listen to him at a clinic. Now I get the privilege of sitting next to him on an NBA bench, in meetings and so on. I want to learn as much as I can from him." ... -The last time the Jazz lost to Philadelphia at home was Jan. 5, 2005.