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Jazz upend Rockets

Dec 3, 2013 - 5:50 AM Salt Lake City, UT (SportsNetwork.com) - Gordon Hayward netted a season-high 29 points and Marvin Williams helped put the game away with five crucial points late as the Utah Jazz shocked the Houston Rockets, 109-103, on Monday.

With the Jazz in front by three, Williams picked off James Harden's nonchalant pass with just over two minutes remaining and coasted in for a breakaway slam. Both teams traded buckets out of a timeout and after Aaron Brooks missed a short hook-shot, Williams put the game away with a three from Hayward.

Trey Burke recorded a career-high for the second straight tilt with 21 points for Utah, which has won back-to-back games for the first time this season and three of four overall. Alec Burks added 21 as well off the bench on 7-of-11 from the field.

"We came out with a lot of energy," said Utah head coach Tyrone Corbin. "We had the little lull in the end of the first, beginning of the second quarter. But after we got the guys back on the floor and got our composure. I thought they executed very well."

Harden led the way for Houston with 37 points and eight assists despite the loss. Dwight Howard had 15 points with nine rebounds and Francisco Garcia, Omri Casspi and Brooks all deposited 13.

Houston forward Chandler Parsons missed his first game of the year with back spasms.

"We just weren't ready to play," said Houston head coach Kevin McHale. "They got a big lead. We kind of fought back a few times and tried to take it from them, but they gained a lot of confidence and they made some big shots. We could never get our hands back on the game."

The Jazz led 82-74 heading into the fourth quarter, but saw their lead evaporate when Harden's layup tied the game 3:53 into the frame.

Burks put the hosts back in front on the ensuing possession with a triple, and Utah never trailed again. Brooks twice made it a one-point game with a trey at the 3:01 mark and free throws with 2 1/2 minutes left, but both times the Jazz found a way to stay in front. Burks hit a pair of foul shots to make it 101-98 before Williams scored his only five points of the second half to put it away.

Earlier, Hayward and Burke combined to shoot 11-for-13 for 27 first-quarter points, outscoring Houston by themselves in the opening period.

The Jazz built a 14-point lead, but Garcia shot 3-of-4 from behind the arc in the second to help Houston claw back to take a 50-48 lead late in the half. Burks scored five in a row heading into the break as Utah took a 53-50 edge.

Game Notes

Derrick Favors had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Utah ... The Jazz shot 10- of-17 from 3-point range, while Houston hit just 9-of-28.