Jazz rookie sinks Cavaliers at buzzer

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz traded comebacks in the fourth quarter before the least experienced player on either team completed the final rally.

Once Sundiata Gaines let go of his 3-pointer and the buzzer sounded Thursday night, there was no chance for the lead to change again. Utah 97, Cleveland 96.

It was the first career 3-pointer for Gaines, a rookie who was just signed last week to a 10-day contract and was playing only his fifth NBA game.

“He has a little swag in him and believes in himself,” said Carlos Boozer, who fouled out and had to watch Gaines’ winner from the bench. “I tell you what, he made us a believer in him, too.”

LeBron James had led the Cavaliers on a 22-4 run earlier in the fourth quarter and put the Cavs up by six with 32.5 seconds left, but Cleveland couldn’t clinch it from the free-throw line.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas made one of two foul shots with 5.6 seconds left, leaving the Jazz down by two. Utah’s Ronnie Price got tied up behind the arc and flipped the ball to Gaines, who launched a 26-footer just before the buzzer.

“I knew if I caught the ball I was going for the win,” said Gaines, who learned earlier Thursday that the Jazz planned to give him a second 10-day contract. “Once it left my hand it felt good. Just to beat Cleveland, this was a big game.”

Gaines came to the Jazz last week after starter Deron Williams sprained his right wrist. Williams re-sprained the wrist earlier in the fourth and the Jazz were left with only Price and Gaines to run the offense. Gaines, known as “Yata” by his new teammates, scored all nine of his points in the fourth.

“Those guys are so excited in there, probably more so than at any time I’ve been with them after a win,” coach Jerry Sloan said outside Utah’s locker room.