By Matt Payne, utahjazz.com
Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 30 points against his hometown team, but the Jazz as a whole were lacking, falling 97-86 on the road to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
Enes Kanter went 7-for-8 from the field for 18 points, while Derrick Favors had 13 points and was the only other Jazz player to reach double digits in scoring.
Roy Hibbert scored team-high 29 points for the Pacers, and A.J. Price, who was signed off the street just a few days ago, finished with 22 points in the win.
Utah took an early lead at 17-11, but the game slowed down (just the way the Pacers wanted it) as neither team was able to find a rhythm on offense. Hibbert had 17 first-half points as the Pacers ended the second quarter on an 11-2 run to take a 47-41 lead.
The Jazz picked up the pace in the second half, opening the third quarter on a 19-4 run to take a 60-53 lead. Hayward scored nine points during that stretch. The Jazz weren’t able to maintain their momentum, though, as the Pacers went on their own 9-2 run to retake the lead.
Down 87-82 midway through the fourth quarter, the Jazz had a chance to make a final push but went six possessions without scoring. That 3:09 stretch sealed the victory for Indiana.
Significant Stat
The Jazz were outrebounded for the second straight night. Indiana’s 13 offensive rebounds were especially problematic as the Pacers outshot the Jazz 90-74. It was the second straight night that the Jazz struggled on the glass (Detroit grabbed 18 offensive boards on Sunday).
Coach’s Quote of the Night
Monday’s Best
Who else? Hayward went 11-for-15 from the field (including 2-for-3 from deep) and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line for 30 points, and added eight rebounds, five assists and a block. He just didn’t have much help.
3-Point Spotlight
The Jazz made only six 3-pointers (two by Hayward) in 21 attempts, and Trey Burke’s cold shooting continued—the second-year point guard went 1-for-8 from deep, with his only make coming in the fourth quarter.
Block of the Night
With Indiana on a run late in the second quarter, Pacers guard Donald Sloan weaved past Burke on the fast break and went up for a layup ... only to get stuffed by Hayward, who slammed the ball off the backboard for a chase-down block. Hayward then drilled a floater in the lane on Utah’s ensuing possession, marking a quick four-point swing.
Up Next
The Jazz will stay on the road for a game Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. MT and the game will be televised on ROOT SPORTS.