The Utah Jazz (32 - 41) staved off a late rally to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder (41 - 32), 94 - 89, in Enes Kanter’s return to Salt Lake City. Derrick Favors was unable to play after injuring his back the night before. Treatment prior to the game did not alleviate the problem. Rodney Hood returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous two games with a stomach flu. Trey Burke continued his inefficient ways, scoring a team - high 22 points on 23 shots to go along with six rebounds, four assists and four steals in 33 minutes. Rudy Gobert, a nominee for Most Improved Player, supplied 13 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, and three steals in 41 minutes without Favors to aid in frontcourt duties. Gordon Hayward was held to 4 - of - 16 shooting one night after scoring 24 points. The Thunder holds a two and a half game lead over the New Pelicans for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Russell Westbrook, the league’s leading scorer, continues to produce gross stats, even when his team loses. In 41 minutes, Westbrook was the first player the score at least 30 points against the Jazz since the All-Star break, contributing 37 points. He handed out six assists, all coming in the first quarter, and turned the ball over nine times. Former Jazz Enes Kanter notched his eighth straight double - double, compiling 18 points and 11 rebounds in 34 minutes. He was even hit with his fifth technical foul. The Jazz battle the Minnesota Timberwolves after a day off. The Thunder concludes a three - game road trip Sunday against the Phoenix Suns.
["TeamStat(G,'Jazz') has 41 Losses ,has 94 Total points ,has 18 Points in 4th quarter ,has 32 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Thunder') has 32 Losses ,has 89 Total points ,has 41 Points in 4th quarter ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Enes Kanter') has 34 Assists ,has 18 Blocks ,has 11 3-pointers attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Russell Westbrook') has 6 Assists ,has 9 Blocks ,has 41 3-pointers attempted ,has 37 Field goals attempted ,has 9 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Gordon Hayward') has 16 Assists ,has 4 Blocks ,has 1 3-pointers attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Rudy Gobert') has 4 Assists ,has 41 Blocks ,has 13 3-pointers attempted ,has 15 Field goals attempted ,has 3 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Rodney Hood') has 2 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Trey Burke') has 4 Assists ,has 23 Blocks ,has 33 3-pointers attempted ,has 22 Field goals attempted ,has 6 Field goals made ,has 4 Minutes played ."]