By Matt Payne, utahjazz.com
After a back-and-forth first half, the Utah Jazz took control in the third quarter and held on late for a 102-91 win over the Clippers in Los Angeles Wednesday night.
The win evened Utah’s record at 7-7 and broke a 13-game losing streak to the Clippers, who now have a record of 7-8 this season.
Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 33 points (on 11-for-22 shooting, including 5-for-7 from 3-point range) to lead the Jazz. He also had seven rebounds, two assists and three steals. Derrick Favors had 22 points and three steals, while Rudy Gobert double-doubled with 10 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Rookie point guard Raul Neto finished with 10 points (a new career high), six assists and three steals.
It was a two-man show for the Clippers—Blake Griffin went off for 40 points (on 18-for-23 shooting) and 12 rebounds, while Chris Paul finished with 24 points, eight assists and three steals.
Wednesday’s Best
Hayward got it going early, with back-to-back 3-pointers in the first quarter en route to 16 first-half points. He saved his best for last, though, with a string of plays in the fourth quarter that almost single-handedly put the game away for the Jazz. With 6:39 left in the game, Hayward backed down Paul and hit nothing but net on a turnaround jumper (while being fouled). After he sank two free throws on Utah’s next possession, he drilled a runner (again while being fouled, this time by J.J. Redick) and made the free throw to give Utah an 89-75 lead with less than six minutes left in the game.
Hayward also hit a corner three with 3:01 left (right after a dunk by Griffin) to cap off a 14-point fourth quarter and push Utah’s lead to 96-79.
Key Stretch
Neto was the catalyst behind a 16-2 Jazz run that broke the game open early in the third quarter. The Jazz scored on seven straight possessions, and the rookie had a hand in the first six. He (in order) ... assisted on a layup by Hood, drilled a 3-pointer, grabbed a steal and took it in for a breakaway layup, banked in a runner high off the glass, assisted on a Hayward 3-pointer, and dished another assist on a mid-range jumper by Favors.
The Clippers went 1-for-7 from the field and committed two turnovers during Utah’s run, and the result was a nine-point Jazz lead.
Significant Stat
Over the past four games, the Jazz had been outscored in the second quarter by an average of 12 points. Tonight, Jazz coach Quin Snyder switched up his substitution pattern—instead of playing the entire first quarter before taking a rest, Hayward hit the bench six minutes in and then played the entire second quarter. The results were solid as the Jazz outscored the Clippers 24-22 in the second quarter.
Coach’s Quote of the Night
Notable
All five of Utah’s starters scored in double figures, while only two of L.A’s starters (Griffin and Paul, of course) managed to do so. ... Trey Burke played only eight minutes because of back spasms. ... The Clippers didn’t make a 3-pointer until Redick sank one with 8:01 left in the fourth quarter. ... The Jazz grabbed 12 steals and forced 19 total turnovers (which led to 26 Utah points).
Up Next
The Jazz will return home to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MT.