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Gaines' amazing buzzer-beater sends Jazz past Cavs 96 - 97
January 17, 2010
Just 10 days ago, Utah Jazz guard Sundiata Gaines was sharpening his skills in the NBA Development League. Now, he's outdueling The King on national television. Gaines hit a 3-pointer as time expired to give the Jazz (22-17) a dramatic 97-96 win over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers (30-11) late Thursday night. Gaines began the season playing with the Idaho Stampede in the D-League before he was signed by the Jazz on Jan. 5. "It was great," Gaines said. "I had a feeling once it left my hand it had a good chance of going through. I might watch it (on highlight shows) 100 times." Gaines may have been Utah's third option in the game's final sequence. Kyle Korver first had the ball but was trapped at the 3-point line, and he passed off to Ronnie Price. Price didn't have a good look either, so he passed it to Gaines, who had to take a difficult shot with Anthony Parker's hand in his face and the clock winding down.
He hit nothing but net. "Since we were down two, I just wanted to go for the win if I got the ball," Gaines said. "Ronnie gave me a good pass and I was lucky to hit it. I just had the feeling Ronnie was going to get the ball to me and I also had a feeling my shot was going to go in. After Utah picking me up, this is the next best thing to happen in my career." What a day it was for Gaines. He signed his second 10-day contract with the Jazz on Thursday morning, and the deal will kick in on Friday. He was mobbed by teammates after making the game-winning basket, then saluted fans on the scorer's table. It was the first 3-pointer he's made in his short NBA career, and just the 16th shot he's attempted. Gaines' game-winner capped a wild fourth quarter that saw both teams go on incredible runs. The Jazz struck first, going on a 21-2 run to take a 78-66 lead. Gaines, who replaced an injured Deron Williams early in the fourth quarter, was on the floor for the entire spurt. Williams did not return after hurting his left wrist, and Gaines contributed a 3-point play and solid defense for the Jazz during the 21-2 run.
"He got himself another 10-day I think," said Jazz forward Paul Millsap. "He's a guy who comes in every day and works hard. He's one of those guys that was overlooked, but his name is out there now and we are glad to have him." A reporter asked Gaines if he thought the Cavaliers knew who he was before Thursday. He said he wasn't sure, before Wesley Matthews interrupted to say, "They know him now." "You have to give Sundiata Gaines credit," said Cleveland coach Mike Brown. "He came in and played a heck of a ballgame. He came in and that's when they made their run. He was a big catalyst in what they did." Utah appeared to be cruising to a win, leading by 13 with 4:39 left before James answered. He scored 18 points during a 20-2 run that put the Cavaliers up six with 32.5 seconds left. He rattled in a 3-pointer to put Cleveland up 86-85, then swished another 3-point bomb from a few feet beyond the 3-point line to make it a two-possession game. After going ahead 91-85, the Cavaliers were fouled on their final four possessions. They couldn't put the Jazz away because they missed three of their last six foul shot attempts. Price scored five points, Korver made a shot and Millsap contributed two free throws in order to get the Jazz within 96-94 and to give Gaines the chance to be the hero.
"I'm really happy for him (Gaines)," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "Just a week or so ago he was so excited about being here and we were thrilled to get him. He played well so he'll probably get some more opportunities." James continued to have his way with the Jazz. He scored 28 of his game-high 36 points in the second half. Utah is the team James averages the most points against, as he entered Thursday's game putting up 30.2 points per game in his first 13 matchups against the Jazz. "We lost the ballgame," James said. "Me individually means nothing. Everything I did as an individual tonight goes out the window." The Jazz feel just the opposite. It was their fourth win in their last five games, and one that Sloan said they need to remember how they prevailed. "The most important thing is have the desire to try to finish the game the best way you can," Sloan said. "You never know what can happen and that's a great example of that. I'm sure I'll remember it for a long time and hopefully our guys do and it makes them better the next time we play."