SALT LAKE CITY, March 28 (UPI) -- The 50 combined points from Gordon Hayward and Al Jefferson Wednesday pushed Utah past Phoenix 103-88 and kept the Jazz close in the playoff chase.
Utah remained one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the battle for the eighth and final post-season spot in the Western Conference. The idle Dallas Mavericks slipped a half game behind Utah.
The Jazz held only a four-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but pulled away thanks to a 15-2 run that began the period.
Both Hayward and Jefferson had 25 points with Jefferson also grabbing nine rebounds. Paul Millsap and Randy Foye had 12 points each for the Jazz, who have won back-to-back games after losing four in a row.
Wesley Johnson scored 22 points to lead the Suns, losers of four straight and 10 of 12.
