Utah Jazz defeat Phoenix Suns 94-81

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz shooting guard Gordon Hayward (20) drives the basket past Phoenix Suns point guard Shannon Brown (26) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. The Jazz went on to win the game 94-81.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
(left) Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) defends as Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson (25) takes a jump shot during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) drives the basket past (left) Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz point guard Jamaal Tinsley (6) looks the pass the ball as Phoenix Suns point guard Sebastian Telfair (31) defends during a game at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz point guard Alec Burks (10) takes a shot as at Phoenix Suns small forward Michael Beasley (0) defends during a game at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
(middle) Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson (25) takes a shot as Phoenix Suns power forward Markieff Morris (11) defends during a game at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
(left) Phoenix Suns shooting guard P.J. Tucker (17) defends as Utah Jazz power forward Marvin Williams (2) takes a shot during a game at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
(right) Utah Jazz point guard Jamaal Tinsley (6) tries to drive the basket as (left) Phoenix Suns power forward Luis Scola (14) defends at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
(right) Utah Jazz power forward Paul Millsap (24) attempts a layup as Phoenix Suns small forward Wesley Johnson (2) defends during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz shooting guard Gordon Hayward (20) drives the basket as (right) Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) defends during a game against the Phoenix Suns at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah Jazz shooting guard Gordon Hayward (20) drives the basket during a game against the Phoenix Suns at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
(right) Utah Jazz power forward Derrick Favors (15) attempts a layup as he is defended by Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) during a game against the Phoenix Suns at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune
(left) Utah Jazz power forward Marvin Williams (2) takes a jump shot as Phoenix Suns small forward Michael Beasley (0) defends at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

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Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz shooting guard Gordon Hayward (20) drives the basket past Phoenix Suns point guard Shannon Brown (26) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. The Jazz went on to win the game 94-81. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune (left) Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) defends as Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson (25) takes a jump shot during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) drives the basket past (left) Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz point guard Jamaal Tinsley (6) looks the pass the ball as Phoenix Suns point guard Sebastian Telfair (31) defends during a game at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz point guard Alec Burks (10) takes a shot as at Phoenix Suns small forward Michael Beasley (0) defends during a game at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune (middle) Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson (25) takes a shot as Phoenix Suns power forward Markieff Morris (11) defends during a game at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune (left) Phoenix Suns shooting guard P.J. Tucker (17) defends as Utah Jazz power forward Marvin Williams (2) takes a shot during a game at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune (right) Utah Jazz point guard Jamaal Tinsley (6) tries to drive the basket as (left) Phoenix Suns power forward Luis Scola (14) defends at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune (right) Utah Jazz power forward Paul Millsap (24) attempts a layup as Phoenix Suns small forward Wesley Johnson (2) defends during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz shooting guard Gordon Hayward (20) drives the basket as (right) Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) defends during a game against the Phoenix Suns at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz shooting guard Gordon Hayward (20) drives the basket during a game against the Phoenix Suns at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune (right) Utah Jazz power forward Derrick Favors (15) attempts a layup as he is defended by Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat (4) during a game against the Phoenix Suns at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012. Kim Raff | The Salt Lake Tribune (left) Utah Jazz power forward Marvin Williams (2) takes a jump shot as Phoenix Suns small forward Michael Beasley (0) defends at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 10, 2012.

By Tony Jones The Salt Lake Tribune

· November 10, 2012 9:51 pm

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

With a four-game east coast road trip coming up, this was a win the Utah Jazz had to have.

The Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns 94-81 on Saturday night before 19,100 at EnergySolutions Arena. They did it by jumping out to a big lead and holding on at the end when the Suns made a furious rally.

Al Jefferson had a huge game, scoring 27 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Paul Millsap scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

But it was Jamaal Tinsley who may have provided the biggest lift. The veteran point guard started in place of Mo Williams and didn't notch a single basket. But he had 14 assists and ran the offense expertly, providing another glimpse into his value as a backup.

Utah moves to 3-4 on the season, with all three victories coming in Salt Lake City. Gordon Hayward chipped in with 18 points.