Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) shoots as Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) defends during the first quarter in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Gordon Hayward scored 28 points and the Utah Jazz defeated the Houston Rockets 117-114 in overtime Tuesday night in a game with significant playoff implications.
The victory moved the Jazz into the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference playoff race, a half-game ahead of the Rockets.
The first tiebreaker for a two-way tie is head-to-head winning percentage. The Rockets fell to 2-1 against the Jazz this season.
James Harden scored 42 points for Houston, and Jason Terry hit a 3-pointer with 10.8 seconds remaining in regulation to tie it at 106 and force overtime.
Rodney Hood made a 3 over Dwight Howard with 51.9 seconds left in OT to give the Jazz a 115-112 lead. Harden followed with a layup, but Derrick Favors' putback pushed the margin to 117-114 with 11.8 seconds to go.
Favors finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. Howard had 13 points and 16 rebounds.
Houston Rockets center Josh Smith goes to the basket as Utah Jazz forward Trey Lyles (41) defends during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets guard James Harden, right, goes to the basket as Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) watches during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff shouts to his team during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets forward Clint Capela (15) draws a foul from Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) as Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) watches during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) blocks the shot of Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles, left, during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets center Josh Smith, left, reaches for the ball as Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) passes it during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward shoots as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) loses control of the ball as Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley, left, reaches for the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward drives during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press