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

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.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Rookie
• Jazz
• Cavs
• jazz
• cavalier
• cleveland
• three points
• Rookie Sundiata Gaines
• utah jazz
• timeout
• salt lake city.

[KOBETHELEGEND24]

boozer has a big ass mouth

[jter2763]

sick

[DonCorleone87]

I like how Lebron is just standing there like a true champ...... oh, wait.

[tjackolantern]

lol look at lebrons defense!!!

[radu1234321]

brewer looks like he's gay :))

[axwell311]

GLORIOUS.

LeBron = O'man O'douls.

[shatz304]

lol....oh, I remember that night.

classic!

[Nisan66]

nba's loudest arena i should know i wuz there

[Machive12]

mean shot bro

[wolferased]

The whole reaction of the crowd and the Utah's bench... it just makes you smile and laugh. Man, what a moment for this rookie...