12-25-2019, 06:45 AM
SALT LAKE CITY - Gordon Hayward knows the Utah Jazz have their best chance to win when they play together and share the ball. Victories havent come easy for the Jazz during this rebuilding season. "We realize were not there yet individually, where we can just play for ourselves and still win. We need to play as a team," Hayward said. Alec Burks and Hayward each scored 21 points and the Jazz held off the New Orleans Pelicans 100-96 on Friday night to snap a five-game skid. The Jazz had 22 assists on their 33 baskets and several other unselfish passes led to 35 attempts from the free throw line. Burks had 12 of his points in the fourth quarter and Hayward added eight final-period points. The Jazz needed all of it to overcome the reeling Pelicans, who played without Anthony Davis down the stretch due to back spasms. "Alec attacks the rim and hes got to be one of the best in the league at driving to the basket," Hayward said. "He finishes so well that he scores or gets fouls almost every time." Two exceptions occurred in the waning moments — swarming Pelicans forced Burks to travel and then Greg Stiemsma blocked Burks layup. Anthony Morrow, who had a game-high 26 points, hit a 3-pointer to draw New Orleans within 95-93. Hayward made one of two free throws and the Pelicans drew a play that produced a wide-open shot for Darius Miller that rimmed out. "Thats exactly what we wanted. We had Tyreke (Evans) with the ball looking to find a shooter and he found Darius. It was the best look we could ask for, and it just didnt go in," Brian Roberts said. Roberts made another 3 with 1.7 seconds remaining, but Hayward and Burks each made two more free throws to clinch the victory for the Jazz. Burks made all 13 of his free throw attempts. Derrick Favours had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz. He thrived without Davis playing at full strength. "There was more room in the post," Favors said. "We had people move around instead of standing still, so it was a big help." Roberts had 18 points while Davis finished with eight points and six rebounds in 23 minutes as the Pelicans dropped their fourth straight following a five-game win streak. The game was tight throughout, but the Jazz extended their lead to double digits near the end of the third when Hayward hit a 3 and followed with another jumper to make it 73-63. But the Pelicans responded despite playing an unusual lineup that was sitting at the end of the bench earlier this season before the team was decimated with injuries. Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, Jrue Holiday and Jason Smith — a group that averages nearly 60 points a game combined — all are sidelined. New Orleans turned to Morrow, who trimmed the Jazz advantage to 82-79 on a jumper in the lane with 7:16 to play. Morrow also had a dozen points in the fourth quarter on 5-for-5 shooting to give the Pelicans a chance. The guard has scored at least 17 points in five of his past six games. The Jazz again built the lead to 10 points when Hayward made a pair of free throws. The Pelicans then made their last-gasp comeback that fell just short. On one play in the third quarter, Davis blocked Favours shot and then saved the ball from going out of bounds. But as the two big men pursued the ball, Davis was sandwiched between Favours and the fans courtside. Davis gingerly ran back on offence and soon after left the court to be evaluated. The training staff confirmed Davis had back spasms but he returned to play in the fourth quarter, but wasnt on the court when the Pelicans made their final push. "He wanted to play and I just said no. Were not in the playoffs. Every game for me is a championship game, but Ive got to be smart," Pelicans coach Monty Williams said. Davis played only 11 minutes against the Nuggets and his absence was felt as the Pelicans allowed season highs in points (137) and field goal shooting (56.5). After three days rest at home, the Jazz also took advantage with 51.6 per cent shooting. "We talked about being able to finish games and we still have the energy to compete. Its been a long year for these guys and weve been through a lot," Utah coach Ty Corbin said. Notes: Stiemsma got a technical foul for arguing with the officials midway through the third period. ... The Pelicans have lost 12 of 15 on the road. ... After a long slump, Hayward is averaging 21 points a game in his past six. Cheap Shoes Free Shipping . -- Omar Infante walked past the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium, where he dressed so many times as a member of the Detroit Tigers, and slipped on a crisp, new Kansas City Royals jersey. 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The Penske drivers swept the top two spots for the second straight race, reversing their qualifying finish in Phoenix a week ago.Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri insists his side are not under pressure despite admitting the next six weeks are the most important in the clubs history. The Foxes are on the brink of a first ever Premier League title, five points clear of second-place Tottenham at the summit, with seven games remaining.Ranieris team host Southampton on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1HD, and the Italian says they will not alter their approach to matches. There isnt pressure. Why pressure? That was at the beginning when we had to be safe, he said. Now we enjoy it. We are on a good run. Everything is in our hands and we want to continue. Ranieri received praise from Sir Alex Ferguson this week Of course, this the biggest moment in the clubs history, because never have Leicester been at this level at the end of the season - to fight for something that was unbelievable at the start.But we must go step-by-step, match-by-match. I will approach things in the same way. Enjoy it and fight, without charging the players over what we are doing over all the season. Leicester deserve title Leicester City deserve to win the title, according to Sir Alex Ferguson The Premier Leagues most decorated manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said this week he believed Leicester deserved the trophy, having undoubtedly been the best team this season.And Ranieri said: It is good to hear [what Sir Alex Ferguson said] but it will be good to do it.Now we have to fight. On Sunday, maybe will be fivee points clear, or maybe there will be three, two or one - but its not important.dddddddddddd Its just important to perform. Ranieri admits Leicester may struggle to hold onto Ngolo Kante if big-money offers come in Leicester chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha celebrates his birthday on Monday and is marking the occasion by giving every Leicester fan who attends the Southampton game a free beer and a doughnut.Ranieri - himself presented with sausages named after him from a local butcher before his conference began - said: Its the chairmans birthday on Monday and he wanted to offer beer and doughnuts. Its fantastic. Also See: Leicesters incredible turnaround Fuchs freaked out by Vardy Is this how the title race plays out? Leicester fixtures ' ' '