Jazz beat Magic to keep hope alive

Utah Jazz point guard Devin Harris was tired of seeing 3-pointers drop for the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.

He made sure one at the end of regulation didn't have a chance as he stepped up big against Jameer Nelson.

Harris' block kept Utah alive, and in the end it was the Jazz draining 3s to secure a 117-107 overtime victory over Orlando.

"We survived, that's the best way to describe it," said Utah swingman Gordon Hayward, who along with Harris hit key 3-pointers in overtime. "All season long we've been fighting. We needed this one badly."

The victory allowed the Jazz (34-30) to keep their lock on the final Western Conference playoff spot.

The Jazz can secure a postseason berth with a win Tuesday night at home against the Phoenix Suns (33-31), who hold the tiebreaker against the Jazz but are a full game behind after their loss to Denver earlier Saturday.

"Steve Nash is going to do the same thing (as Nelson) and get his guys the ball," Jazz center Al Jefferson said referring to Nelson, who had 11 assists to go along with his team-high 23 points Saturday. "But we just have to grind it out and play hard and get some hands up in his face."

The Magic (36-27) must regroup after dropping their second straight and first since All-Star center Dwight Howard had back surgery that will keep him out until next season.

The Magic also have been without forward Hedo Turkoglu, who had surgery April 9 for a fractured cheekbone, and is questionable for the playoffs.

Combined, the two accounted for 31.3 points and 18.3 rebounds. On Saturday, the Magic also were without 6-foot-10 forward Earl Clark because of a sore left knee

Despite the missing pieces, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy ripped into his team.

"We just cannot guard, we cannot," Van Gundy said. "I don't think that our guys are not trying, but we cannot guard anyone. Our defense is disturbing to say the least."

Van Gundy also had harsh words for backup center Daniel Orton, who contributed only two points off the bench.

"Daniel gave us nothing," Van Gundy said. "He went for every shot fake, he fouled every time. He didn't even give us minutes that we needed to give our starters some rest. Our lack of depth was an absolute huge factor. Those guys ran out of gas at the end."

Associated Press in Salt Lake City