What a night.
Playing without leading scorer Gordon Hayward, the Utah Jazz clung to a narrow lead for much of the game before pulling out a 94-85 victory over four-time MVP LeBron James and the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers Monday night at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
As the Cleveland players wandered off the court with a collective look of shock and disbelief, the Jazz (32-35) were celebrating what was perhaps their biggest win of the season.
Rodney Hood dazzled with a game-high 28 points, while Derrick Favors (19 points, three blocks), Shelvin Mack (17 points, 10 assists) and Trey Lyles (12 points off the bench) also helped pick up the slack.
Rudy Gobert scored five points and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds in the win.
James led the Cavs (47-19) with 23 points, while Kyrie Irving finished with 15 points. Kevin Love scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half in the loss.
Tonight's game, which began at 8:30 p.m MT, was broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Monday's Best
With Hayward (plantar fasciitis) out, Hood shouldered much of the offensive load for the Jazz—and the second-year wing put on a show. Hood drilled mid-range jumpers, running floaters, and 3-pointers (four in all) from all over the court en route to a game-high 28 points. He also went 5-for-5 from the line (all in the game's final four minutes) and committed only two turnovers in 34 minutes of action.
Key Stretch
Cleveland erased a nine-point deficit to take a 69-66 lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz responded emphatically. Favors put in a layup, Raul Neto buried a long jumper, and Lyles drilled two straight threes to give Utah a 76-71 lead with 7:48 left in the game. Mack hit another three, and Lyles put in two more shots—a pull-up jumper and a banked-in runner—to push Utah's lead to ten. Joe Ingles capped the 20-4 run with a corner three that gave the Jazz their largest lead of the game at 86-73.
Significant Stat
33.3
The Jazz put on a clinic on both ends of the floor in the fourth quarter. They held Cleveland to a paltry 8-for-24 (33.3 percent) shooting (including 2-for-16 from 3-point range) while going 9-for-14 (64.3 percent) from the field (including 4-for-7 from three) and 6-for-7 (85.7 percent) from the free-throw line to seal the win.
Coach's Quote of the Night
Notable
There was a major game stoppage with 3:57 left in the fourth quarter and the Jazz leading 86-75. Lyles was called for a personal foul for elbowing Channing Frye (in the groin), and Frye came at the rookie with a headbutt and a (weak) swing that didn't connect. Frye (two technicals) and Lyles (Flagrant 2) were both ejected. Between the on-court fracas, the extensive time the referees spent watching replays, the technical free throws (two for Cleveland, one for Utah) and a TV timeout, the game was stopped for more than 11 minutes.
Up Next
The Jazz will stay at home to face the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MT, and the game will be televised on ROOT SPORTS.
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