There’s a lot we could comment on the play-by-play. They said Rodney kicked his legs out . . . that’s life on the road. – Quin Snyder
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns have been the most snakebit team in the NBA this year, losing five games on buzzer-beating shots.
It almost happened again, but the officials decided to give the Suns a break, not calling an apparent foul on a last-second shot by Rodney Hood that might have given the Jazz a victory Saturday night at the US Airways Center.
As it turned out, the Suns escaped with an 87-85 victory to improve to 39-38 and keep their slim playoff hopes alive, while the Jazz dropped to 34-42 on the year.
Coach Quin Snyder preferred not to talk much about the contact on the last play, saying, “There’s a lot we could comment on the play-by play. They said Rodney kicked his legs out . . . that’s life on the road.’’
The Jazz had fought back from a 13-point deficit in the second half to take a four-point lead in the fourth quarter behind the play of Gordon Hayward, who had 12 of his team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter.
Trailing by two after Eric Bledsoe made one of two free throws with 18 seconds left, the Jazz had a chance to send the game into overtime or get the win. The Jazz called a play in the huddle that appeared to fall apart and Joe Ingles drove into the lane with four seconds left. His shot missed and bounced out to Hood, who tried a shot at the buzzer.
Hood looked to be hit by P.J. Tucker right in front of the Jazz bench, which protested loudly when no call of a foul was made.
“I shot it regular,'' said Hood. "You know, I didn’t kick my foot out, I don’t shoot like that. I wasn’t trying to draw a foul but it is what it is.’’
The Jazz had called timeout and set up a play, apparently to get the ball to Hood, who had been the team’s best shooter on the night. But early in the play, Hayward looked frustrated at the top of the key as he looked to set up a play.
“It was a well-designed play and they hedged out a bit on Rodney and he wasn’t looking at the right time,’’ Hayward said. “We still got a good look from Joe down the middle of the lane and we had another chance too.’’
Of that last non-call on the shot by Hood, Hayward shrugged it off.
“There were probably a bunch of those tonight that could have gone our way that we didn’t get the calls, but it is what it is,’’ he said.
Hayward was more upset about the previous Jazz possession when he missed an 18-footer with 18 seconds left that could have given the Jazz the lead.
The possession before is the one I’m mad about,'' he said. "It was right there but it skipped across the front of the rim.''
Hood had a fine game, returning after sitting out with a concussion, scoring 17 points, including 15 in the first half. Derrick Favors added 14 points, while Rudy Gobert had eight points and 15 rebounds.
Phoenix was led by veteran guard Gerald Green, who scored 24 points off the bench in just 22 minutes. Bledsoe added 16, while Brandan Wright scored 14 and Markieff Morris chipped in 10.
Until the fourth quarter, Hayward wasn’t having the best of games for the Utah Jazz. He was just 3 of 13 from the field with four turnovers. But then Hayward took over as he scored 12 of 13 Jazz points over an eight-minute stretch as the Jazz stayed right with the Suns.
Trailing by 13 early in the third quarter, the Jazz had come back behind the play of their inside players with a couple of timely 3-pointers by backup guards Bryce Cotton and Ingles. By the end of the quarter, the Jazz led 68-65, having closed the quarter on a 19-6 run.
“None of us had a great night, but we were right there at the end,’’ said Snyder. “We needed to make a couple of plays at the end.’’
After the game, the Jazz flew to Sacramento for a Sunday night game against the Kings before returning home for a game against the Kings Wednesday.
GAME NOTES: Turnovers were a problem for the Jazz, who had averaged just 12 turnovers over their past five games. However they had 13 before the first half was over and ended up with 18 for the game . . . The Jazz dominated the boards, outrebounding the smaller Suns 47-32 . . . Trey Burke missed the game because of a sore lower back . . . After getting 12 assists Wednesday night against Denver, Exum had just three assists, but scored nine points . . . The Suns were playing without Brandon Knight, who was acquired in a trade with Milwaukee in February, but has missed 11 of 12 games with an ankle injury . . . The two teams had split their previous two games this year with the Jazz winning 118-91 in Utah in early November and losing 100-93 in early February.