Hayward beats buzzer, powers Jazz past Cavs
SALT LAKE CITY—Gordon Hayward made a step-back jump shot at the buzzer, one-upping LeBron James and boosting the Utah Jazz to a 102-100 victory over the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Hayward, who had 21 points, broke free of James to catch an inbounds pass, faked a move to the basket and then stepped back on the right wing and swished a 21-foot jump shot as the horn sounded.
The forward was mobbed by his Jazz teammates in a scene reminiscent of a college tournament game.
San Antonio’s Tim Duncan had 17 points and 13 rebounds as the Spurs held on for a 94-92 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
It was the Spurs’ 17th straight home win.
The Spurs had a season-high 25 assists for a balanced scoring effort that they needed to fend off the Hawks’ furious rally in the final quarter. Tony Parker scored 17 points and Manu Ginobili added 12, including a pair of free throws with 3.8 seconds remaining.
DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap each had 17 points for Atlanta (1-2). Al Horford added 10.
Bulls triumph
At Milwaukee, Derrick Rose returned from his latest injury to help the Chicago Bulls to a 95-86 victory over the Bucks.
Taj Gibson scored 23 points, Pau Gasol added 22 and Rose had 13 points and seven assists in 32 minutes for the Bulls, who have beaten the Bucks nine straight times in Milwaukee.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Bucks.
The Memphis Grizzlies downed the Phoenix Suns, 102-91, after Mike Conley had 24 points and 11 assists, while Greg Monroe had 23 points and 18 rebounds in the Detroit Pistons’ 98-95 win over the New York Knicks.
In other games, Kyle Lowry scored 35 points and had a key steal in the closing minute to lead the Toronto Raptors over the Boston Celtics, 110-107; the Charlotte Hornets beat the Miami Heat, 96-89; the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Brooklyn Nets, 98-91; and the Washington Wizards claimed a 96-95 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers.
The Orlando Magic edged the Philadelphia 76ers, 91-89; the Golden State Warriors trounced the Los Angeles Clippers, 121-104; and the Sacramento Kings were 131-109 winners over the Denver Nuggets. AP
