Utah Jazz beat Golden State 97-90, stay ahead of Lakers

Oakland, Calif. • Mo Williams hit his third 3-pointer of the game with 13.4 seconds left and the Utah Jazz beat the Golden State Warriors 97-90 to stay ½ a game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 8 playoff seed in the Western Conference.

The Jazz won consecutive games on the road for the first time this season, but more important pulled off an unexpected victory. Now, with four games remaining, the Jazz are in the driver's seat in the playoff chase.

Williams led the Jazz with 25 points while Al Jefferson added 19 points and 12 rebounds. Derrick Favors recorded his second double-double in a row with 13 points, 12 points and 13 rebounds off the bench, but his biggest contribution may have come with 25 seconds left when he blocked a shot in the lane by Draymond Green that would have cut the Jazz's lead to 93-92.

Earlier Sunday, the Clippers beat the Lakers 109-95 at Staples Center, putting the Jazz back in the playoff picture. But they needed to add a win to stay there.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 22 points, including a 3-pointer that cut the Jazz's one-time 10 point lead to 91-86.

boram@sltrib.com

Twitter: @tribjazz