Rookie's 3-pointer at buzzer lifts Jazz over Cavs

[February 04, 2010]  SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Rookie Sundiata Gaines hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end a frenzied series of comebacks and give the Utah Jazz a 97-96 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.

LeBron James had led the Cavaliers on a 22-4 run earlier in the fourth quarter and put the Cavs up by six points with 32.5 seconds left, but Cleveland couldn't clinch it from the free throw line.

Zildrunas Ilgauskas went 1-of-2 from the line with 5.6 seconds left and the Jazz needed only a field goal to tie it or 3-pointer to win it.

Utah's Ronnie Price got tied up behind the arc and flipped the ball to Gaines, who launched the game-winner.

Gaines, signed to a 10-day contract when starter Deron Williams sprained his right wrist, finished with nine points. It was Gaines' first 3-pointer in his five-game NBA career.

James led Cleveland with 36 points, scoring 20 in the fourth quarter.

The Jazz and Cavs combined for just 28 points in the third quarter, then both went on a scoring barrage in the fourth. Utah ended up winning the fourth-quarter battle 42-36 as Carlos Boozer scored 11 in the final period. Boozer finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds and six assists against his former team.

The Cavs helped the Jazz by committing a season-high 23 turnovers and missing critical foul shots in the final minute after James had regained the lead for Cleveland.

Anthony Parker went 1-of-2 from the line on consecutive trips in the final 22 seconds, leaving the door open for Utah's comeback.

Kyle Korver hit a baseline jumper to cut the lead to 94-92 with 6 seconds left, then after a quick foul, Ilgauskas was 1-of-2 and Utah got the rebound.

After a timeout, the Cavs had the Jazz scrambling on the final inbounds play before Price got the ball to Gaines on the right wing and Gaines came through. He was mobbed by his teammates on the spot, then ran across to the scorer's table where he leaped on top and lifted his arms.

Gaines was in the game because Williams re-injured his right wrist, which he sprained in a fall last Monday.

The Jazz responded to losing their leader with 15 straight points to start a 21-2 run that had the Cavs all but done until James put on another show for the arena that was packed just to see him.

James led the Cavs on an 11-1 run to get back in it late in the fourth. He drew a foul on Boozer while making a layup and his free throw for the three-point play got Cleveland within 84-82 with 2:16 left.

James was fouled again on a drive with 1:15 left and appeared to injure his left ankle on the play. He was hopping on his right foot after the whistle. The hop was gone after a timeout and James went to the line, where he made the first but missed the second. James got his own rebound and hit a 3-pointer to put Cleveland back up 86-85 with 1:10 left.

The Cavs came up with a turnover at the other end and James hit another 3-pointer with 40 seconds left, giving Cleveland an 89-85 lead.

C.J. Miles tried a 3-pointer for Utah, but it bounced off the rim to James, who drew Boozer's sixth foul and made both free throws to put Cleveland up 91-85 with 32.5 seconds to go.

Parker and Delonte West scored 11 points apiece and Mo Williams and Jawad Williams both had 10 for Cleveland.

Mehmet Okur and Priced added 13 points each for Utah, which won despite shooting 41 percent.

NOTES: James was averaging 30.23 points against the Jazz, second only to Michael Jordan's 32.69 points per game against Utah. ... Cleveland's previous high for turnovers was 22 in a win at Golden State on Monday. ... Shaquille O'Neal had just five points and three rebounds for Cleveland. ... The Jazz last beat the Cavs on Nov. 7, 2007.

[Associated Press; By DOUG ALDEN]

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