Hayward, Jazz tune out Heat
MIAMI -- Gordon Hayward scored 25 points as the Utah Jazz completed a successful Eastern Conference road swing with a 102-91 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday night.
The Jazz never trailed after Rodney Hood's jumper gave Utah a 29-28 lead 1:52 into the second quarter. Hood finished with 17 points.
Hayward shot 10 of 20 from the field and finished with nine rebounds as the Jazz ended 4-1 road trip.
Utah (7-4) extended a five-point lead halftime with 10 unanswered points to start the second half. Hood's 3-pointer with 8:28 remaining in the third period capped the run and stretched the Jazz's lead to 62-47.
Josh McRoberts' short jumper with 6:19 left in the period ended a Miami scoring drought that began with 1:39 remaining in the first half. The Heat (2-6) scored a season-low 12 points in the third quarter.
Rudy Gobert's two free throws 2:45 into the fourth period gave the Jazz their first 20-point lead at 84-63.
Miami scored 10 unanswered points and got within 86-75 on Rodney McGruder's 3-pointer with 6:32 remaining in the fourth period.
James Johnson scored 15 points and Hassan Whiteside added 15 and finished with 14 rebounds for the Heat, who lost their fourth straight.
Heat guard Josh Richardson made his first start of the season, replacing injured point guard Goran Dragic. Richardson finished with 12 points.
Dragic, the Heat's second leading scorer with a 16.9 average, sprained his left ankle in Miami's loss against the Chicago Bulls Thursday night.
Forward Derrick Favors scored the Jazz's first three baskets but left the game midway through the first quarter and didn't return because of left knee discomfort.
NOTES: Utah G George Hill missed his fourth consecutive game because of a sprained right thumb. ... The Jazz will finally enjoy home surroundings after completing a five-game road trip on Saturday. Utah begins a two-game home set against Memphis on Monday and Chicago Thursday. ... Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said G Wayne Ellington continues to improve from a right thigh contusion that has sidelined him since the last game of the pre-season. ... Spoelstra said Miami assistant coaches Dan Craig and Octavio De La Grana will receive championship rings at an upcoming Miami home game for their roles coaching the Sioux City Skyforce, the Heat's NBA D-League affiliate, to the league title last season. Craig was the Skyforce head coach and De La Grana served as an assistant.