Utah Jazz: Top Ten Games of 2015-16

2) March 23 at Houston Rockets – Favors’ Dunk Seals the Deal

Utah Jazz 89 – Houston Rockets 87

Ironically, a month later Jazz fans would be treated to another exhilarating game once again against the Rockets. With less than a month left in the season, with the Jazz coming in having won five of six of their last games and with enormous playoff implications on the line, this game had all the feelings of a playoff showdown.

However, Utah got in trouble early as Houston jumped out to a sizable lead in the second quarter. Fortunately, tough defense got the Jazz back in the game and the fourth quarter was one of the most tightly contested bouts the Jazz faced all season. Throughout the final five minutes, you could have cut the game’s tension with a knife.

Yet down the stretch it still looked like Houston would find a way to defend their home court and come away with a win as they led by three with just over a minute left in the game. In that critical ensuing possession, Jazz newcomer Shelvin Mack hoisted up a contested three that seemed to hang in the air forever. But when it finally landed, it splashed home to tie the game.

But the play of the game came on the Jazz’s final possession. As the Rockets’ defense collapsed on the driving Rodney Hood, he slyly dished the ball to the wide open Derrick Favors who threw down a monster jam that put Utah up by two and eventually sealed the victory.

The statement jam was a perfect finish to one of the most incredible games of the year. That enormous play not only gave the Jazz the win, but fully revitalized their growing playoff hopes.

Next: No. 1