Keyonte George scored 31 points, including a game-winning floater with 2.1 seconds left, to lift the Utah Jazz (11-19) past the Detroit Pistons (24-7) 131-129 on Friday night at the Delta Center.
Lauri Markkanen added 30 points, while Brice Sensabaugh contributed a season-high 20 points off the bench, filling in for Ace Bailey, who missed the second half with a hip injury.
Cade Cunningham recorded 29 points and 17 assists for Detroit, but missed a controversial buzzer-beater as the Pistons fell short in a high-scoring game.
Utah trailed by 15 midway through the first quarter but gradually pulled away, eventually taking a 104-89 lead late in the third after a strong 44-35 run fueled by Kevin Love’s 11 points in the period.
The Pistons rallied in the fourth, with Cunningham tying the game at 129 on free throws after a backcourt charge by George gave Utah a 129-125 lead with 1:14 remaining.
Despite Detroit shooting 52.2% from the field and making 18 of 37 from three-point range, the Jazz’s defensive pressure, including a block and three steals down the stretch, secured the win.
Markkanen and George used multiple screens to get open shots against Detroit’s second-ranked defense, highlighting the Jazz’s offensive execution in critical time.
Utah outscored Detroit 44-35 in the third quarter, and George’s late-game poise proved decisive in breaking the Jazz’s four-game losing streak.
The Jazz finished 44 of 90 from the field, including 18 of 38 from three, while Detroit shot 48 of 92 overall and converted 15 of 23 free throws. Utah also held a 42-41 lead and shared the ball effectively with 12 assists from George, Markkanen and Kevin Love.
Eastern Conference-leading Detroit will continue their nine-game road trip with a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, while Utah heads to San Antonio on Saturday.
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