Hayward stars as Jazz down Rockets, Trail Blazers win again
The Utah Jazz secured a vital victory against the Houston Rockets as the race for NBA play-off spots heats up.
The Jazz moved ahead of the Rockets in the Western Conference with a 117-114 victory on Tuesday.
Gordon Hayward top-scored with 28 points for the Jazz, while he was supported by team-mates Derrick Favors (19), Rodney Hood (18) and Shelvin Mack (17).
James Harden (42) led the way for the Rockets, who have only won one of their past five games.
The Portland Trail Blazers extended their winning streak to sixth-consecutive games thanks to a 112-104 victory against the Brooklyn Nets.
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum had 34 points each as the Trail Blazers out-scored the Nets in three out of four quarters.
Brook Lopez’s double-double of 36 points and 10 rebounds led the Nets, who are now 4-20 on the road this season.
In other results, a strong third quarter saw the Washington Wizards defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 109-89, the Sacramento Kings edged the Denver Nuggets 114-110, and the Orlando Magic trumped the Philadelphia 76ers 124-115.
