SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz were without Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favours and Trey Burke for the second consecutive game Monday. For the second game in a row, the Jazz beat a playoff team.
Utah closed its home schedule with a 109-92 victory over the Dallas Mavericks as reserves played heavy minutes for both teams.
"When you’ve got a group of guys that works as hard and is as committed as our group has been," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said, "it’s nice to see some of those guys get an opportunity to play. We did have a chance in these last two games to actually see those young men and give them a chance to play. When players play hard, it’s easy to play them."
Hayward (Achilles tendon), Burke (back) and Favours (coach’s decision) did not play for the Jazz (38-43). Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler and Monta Ellis were all rested for the Mavs.
Rudy Gobert dominated the paint and had his 25th double-double of the season. He matched his career high with 20 points and added 17 rebounds, three blocks, three assists and a steal. Bryce Cotton scored a career-high 21 off the bench.
Five Jazz players that spent time in the Developmental League this season saw playing time.
"Opportunities like this don’t come along too often," Cotton said, "and I wanted to go out there and make the most of this opportunity."
Reserve J.J. Barea led the Mavs (49-32) with 18, while Charlie Villanueva finished with 15 points and Amar’e Stoudemire chipped in 15.
Two teams playing with makeshift lineups didn’t equate to much defence in the first half as they went into halftime tied at 57. The Jazz hadn’t scored 57 first-half points in 14 games; it was just the fifth time all season they’ve scored more than 56 in the opening 24 minutes. Utah led by nine at one point in the second quarter, but the Mavs closed on a 13-6 run.
The Jazz, the league’s top defensive team since the All-Star break, held the Mavs to 12 points in the third quarter and used a 14-3 run to take a 20-point lead.
"In the end we gave up too many rebounds and we had too many turnovers," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "Those were all possession plays and that stuff all added up and it hurt us."
TIP-INS
Mavericks: The team started Richard Jefferson, Villanueva, Stoudemire, Rajon Rando and Raymond Felton. … Dwight Powell played 24 minutes, the most for him since 29 on Jan. 14. … Devin Harris left in the second quarter with a toe injury and did not return.
Jazz: The Jazz will host three teams for the 2015 Utah Jazz Summer League from July 6-9. The Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs and Jazz will compete in three games apiece. … Longtime NBA trainer Gary Briggs will retire following the season. He spent 33 years in the league, including 18 with the Cavaliers and the last 15 with the Jazz. … The Jazz have scored 100-plus points in four of their last five games. … Utah finished the season 21-20 at home.
LINEUP SHUFFLE
The Jazz have used a variety of lineup combinations down the stretch due to injury and wanting to get certain players extra playing time. Hayward, Burke and Favours were all held out both Saturday and Monday. Snyder didn’t confirm whether Favours’ back was still bothering him, but said they wanted to be smart with him and believes those minutes would be better spent on others.
"We’re in a precarious position not being in the playoff race, but also wanting to maximize every game," Snyder said. "That meant one thing in Memphis, it means a different thing tonight."
CARLISLE CONCERNED
Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons missed his fifth consecutive game with a knee injury. Parsons signed with as a free agent during the off-season and has started every game he’s played with the team. Carlisle called him day to day.
"Am I concerned? Yeah, I’m concerned," Carlisle said. "The next couple days we will get back home and he will continue to rehab. … We will see where we are. We are not going to take any risks with it."
UP NEXT
Mavericks: hosts Portland on Wednesday.
Jazz: at Houston on Wednesday.
