Utah Jazz: Top Ten Games of 2015-16

6) March 14th vs. Cleveland – Jazz Slow James Despite Hayward’s Absence

Utah Jazz 94 – Cleveland Cavaliers 85

To be perfectly honest, this game wasn’t as closely contested as some of the games listed previously. However, with Joe Ingles getting the nod as starter in the absence of Gordon Hayward who was out with plantar fasciitis, it made for a surprising and exciting victory.

Coming into the game, LeBron James had lost four straight in Salt Lake City (with his previous loss being quite possibly the most exciting Jazz game of 2014-15). However, with Hayward out, it seemed unlikely that they could make it a fifth.

Nevertheless, Utah proved its resilience and ability to depend on the team as a whole rather than just one player. Hood led the charge with 28 points, but Shelvin Mack was also impressive in one of his earlier games with the Jazz, logging 17 points and Trey Lyles made an impact off the bench with 12 points. He also added to the excitement by getting in a scuffle with Channing Frye that led to both of their ejections.

Throughout the game, Utah dominated on the defensive end, holding starters Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, and J.R. Smith to just 13 of 46 (28.3%) from the field. The Jazz put up an especially suffocating fourth quarter in which they outscored the Cavs 28-19.

With Utah’s newly acquired depth this offseason, it may be even harder for James to avoid a sixth consecutive loss in Salt Lake City this upcoming year.

Next: No. 5