Utah Jazz: Comeback versus Bobcats falls short

MAITLAND, Fla. — A trey try at the buzzer from point guard Sundiata Gaines missed the mark Monday, spoiling the Jazz's comeback bid in their opening game at the Orlando Pro Summer League.

Gaines took a pass in the right corner from swingman Gordon Hayward, but his shot didn't drop as Charlotte beat Utah 85-83.

"I just rushed it," Gaines said.

The Jazz trailed most of the way and were down by 20 at halftime.

But free agent point guard Tyrese Rice drove for a floater to end the third quarter, and a 3-pointer from free agent Thomas Gardner early in the fourth briefly put Utah up by one.

Free-agent center James Augustine led all Utah scorers with 20 points while shooting 9-for-10 from the field.

Rice added 12 points off the bench, Gaines had 11 and Othyus Jeffers — who, like Gaines, finished last season with the Jazz — scored 10.

Gaines shot just 2-for-8 from the field but got to the line for 14 free-throw attempts in just 21 minutes played. Hayward — taken No. 9 overall out of Butler University in the first round of the June 24 NBA Draft — wound up with eight points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block while shooting 2-for-2 from the field in 26 minutes

Kosta Koufos, the Jazz's under-contract big man, had just four points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.

Roster regulars Derrick Brown and Gerald Henderson led the Bobcats with 20 points apiece.

The Jazz play their second game in the eight-team league for NBA rookies, youngsters and free agents today vs. host Orlando.

e-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com