Milwaukee Bucks fall short to Utah Jazz, 84-81

SALT LAKE CITY — Rodney Hood scored 23 points and the Utah Jazz pulled away late in an 84-81 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night despite an ugly offensive performance.

The Jazz won their season-high fifth consecutive game but shot just 39 percent from the field.

The Jazz pulled away in the final 5 minutes thanks to a reverse dunk by Rudy Gobert set up by a drive and dish from Raul Neto. Neto's corner 3 gave the Jazz a two-point lead and Gordon Hayward's 3 extended it to 78-73 with 3:16 remaining.

The five-point advantage was Utah's largest since the first quarter. Hayward put the game away with a layup that made it 82-75 with 1:32 left.

Hayward had 18 points and Derrick Favors had 11 points and 15 rebounds.

Khris Middleton scored 18 points and Jerryd Bayless added 15 off the bench for the Bucks. Greg Monroe finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.

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