Gordon Hayward scored nine fourth-quarter points, including two timely 3-pointers, to lift the Utah Jazz over the Toronto Raptors at home.

G-time totaled 17 points, seven rebounds, an assist and a block as the Jazz (6-5) logged a big 93-89 victory over the Toronto Raptors (7-6) Wednesday at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

“It was a great win for us as a team,” Gordon said. “This is a really good basketball team in Toronto. For us to close it down the stretch like that and lock in defensively was huge.”

Toronto Raptors v Utah Jazz

Toronto took a five-point advantage early off a Kyle Lowry three, but Utah then went on its first run. The Jazz trailed by one midway through the frame, when Gordon came through with back-to-back buckets to put the Jazz up 16-13. He made a savvy play to draw a foul on DeMar DeRozan and knocked down both free throws shortly thereafter. On the following possession, a Trevor Booker layup closed a 14-0 Utah run. The Jazz led by nine at that point, though the Raptors clawed their way back and made it 24-19 at the end of the period.

Utah held onto that lead through most of the second quarter. G-Time scored just once in the period: a fast-break dunk with four minutes to go in the half to put the Jazz up 40-33. But Toronto closed out the half on a 9-0 run to lead 45-42 at the break.

The Toronto lead inflated to six before Gordon turned his attention to the boards. He had four rebounds in the third quarter, including one that set the stage for a Derrick Favors dunk that cut the lead down to just one point.

The Jazz outrebounded the Raptors 41-37, outscored them 46-40 in the paint and 11-6 on fast breaks, and as Gordon explained after the game, that all started off the glass.

“I just tried to get my game going somehow. I tried to get to the defensive glass so I could push it up the court,” he said. “We have to make sure that everyone gets to the glass not just our bigs down low. When our wings can rebound, we can push the tempo. That was good for us.”

Unfortunately, the Jazz shot just 27.8 percent in the third and trailed 64-59 going into the fourth quarter. But Utah was still playing tremendous defense, and in the fourth, the offense finally followed.

Alec Burks started the final quarter with a three ball to make it a two-point game. Gordon checked in at the 9:51 mark and immediately went to work. He drove in for a baseline layup less than 40 seconds after re-entering and made the bucket through contact. He finished the three-point play at the line.

Utah still trailed by six with seven minutes to go, when Gordon sparked perhaps the most critical sequence in the game. He took a pass from Trey Burke and knocked down a much-needed three. No. 20 paid it forward, setting Burke up on a triple less than a minute later to make it a two-point game.

On the next possession, he pulled down one of those crucial defensive rebounds and Rodney Hood cashed in on the other end for two to tie the game at 79. It didn’t take long for Gordon to break that tie. Off a key assist by Rudy Gobert, G-Time buried another trifecta to put the Jazz on top.

Toronto Raptors v Utah Jazz

Toronto pulled back in front, but shortly thereafter, Gordon made a vital block on the defensive end, which led to a go-ahead bucket by Favors. In the final minute, it was more from Favors. He came through with two big baskets down low, and both he and Trey Burke made free throws in the final 20 seconds to close out the narrow victory.

Utah wasn’t great, just 16-of-22, from the line on the night. But Gordon saw their ability to keep Toronto off the stripe as one of the biggest factors in the win.

“We tried to play without fouling,” Gordon revealed. “They’re the No. 1 team in the league at getting to the free throw line and we held them to 18 free throws and they’re averaging about 31, so I’d say that’s a win in our book tonight.”

NEXT UP

After just one game at home, the road warrior Jazz travel to take on the Dallas Mavericks (8-4) on Friday.

This will be their ninth road game in 12 contests to start the season. It has been a tough schedule, which hasn’t allowed the Jazz to settle into a home routine, but No. 20 isn’t complaining.

“We were happy to be in front of our fans. It was a great win and a great atmosphere, but now we go back on the road again,” Gordon said. “My suitcase is still packed from the last trip. But it’s the NBA. That’s how it works here. We’re professionals and we’ve got to be ready to play.”

They’ll certainly have to be at their best to top the Mavs, who are one of the NBA’s hottest groups right now. They’ve won five straight, good for the third longest streak in the league, behind only the undefeated Golden State Warriors and the 9-2 San Antonio Spurs.

Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. MT, and the game will be broadcast on ROOT Sports.