Hood scores 32 as Jazz top Grizzlies in OT
Utah Jazz swingman Rodney Hood sets a career-best 32 points in an overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies. AP
SALT LAKE CITY — Rodney Hood scored a career-high 32 points and the Utah Jazz fought off a stingy Memphis Grizzlies team to win 92-87 in overtime Saturday.
The Jazz won consecutive games for the sixth time this season, but have yet to win three straight.
Hood knocked down a pair of free throws to put Utah ahead 89-87 with 29.1 seconds left in overtime. He scored 10 points in the first quarter and then carried the Jazz offense late with 17 in the fourth period and overtime combined.
Gordon Hayward added 14 points and Jeff Withey had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Marc Gasol scored 20 for Memphis to go with seven rebounds and four assists. Courtney Lee had 17 points and Mike Conley finished with 15.
Gasol missed a wide-open jumper from the elbow that would have won the game in regulation.
The Jazz remained short-handed without Derrick Favors (back spasms) and Alec Burks (left leg).
Utah got out to a fast start with 28 first-quarter points, but the Memphis defense tightened up over the next 41 minutes. The Grizzlies held the Jazz to 36.8 percent shooting after the first period.
The Grizzlies closed the first half on a 20-11 run, including a 9-0 stretch, after falling behind by 10 early in the second quarter.
Trey Lyles’ jumper gave the Jazz a 46-45 lead at the break.
