This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

In a season of ascension for the Jazz, one in which they've edged toward believing they can climb over any challenge and any opponent, they faced a few of their steepest steps on Tuesday night at Vivint Smart Home Arena against a fellow named LeBron and a team called the Cavs.

James has almost always played well here, averaging 30 points, nine boards and six assists in 14 games, even though his teams, including the good ones, have struggled, going 5-9. Before this particular game, of playing in Utah, he said, "It's always been fun. These fans have seen some great basketball through the years. … It's a building that has created a lot of memories."

It created another one on Tuesday night, in an undulating contest that, for the Jazz, went well … then it didn't … then it did … and then …

Whew … it did.

At the end, the home team finished the thing off 100-92, gaining and relishing a victory that confirmed for them their own progress, their own credibility, their own confidence in — who else? — themselves.

When you're going up against the best player on the planet and the best team in the world, that's all you got. It's all the Jazz had. And, for this one night, at least, it was enough.

Gordon Hayward, who hit 10 of 12 shots, including 4-of-5 from 3, for 28 points, spoke for his team when he said: "This feels really, really good."

And why wouldn't it?

Having limped home from a five-game roadie on Sunday night, the Jazz overtook a milepost, a measure — though only temporary — of their advancement, each of the players knowing and acknowledging what they were up against, and that awareness captured their full attention and effort. LeBron's teams may have labored a bit here in the past, but … this time, they were the defending champs.

Afterward, the Jazz were happy about the result, but less than giddy, fully aware that a whole lot of work remains.

"We guarded," Hayward said. "That's why we came out on top. We got contributions from everyone."

Six Jazz players scored in double figures, Hayward leading the way, with Rodney Hood getting 18 points, George Hill 13, Derrick Favors and Trey Lyles 12 each, and Rudy Gobert finishing with 11. Just as importantly, as Hayward mentioned, the Jazz played hard at the other end, holding the Cavs to 36-percent shooting. Only James hurt them, the rest just kind of muddled around.

The most telling moments occurred after the Jazz took a 15-point lead heading into the half. At the start of the third, the Cavs, led by You-Know-Who, fired off on a 17-0 run to take their own lead. They were hopping and popping, and the Jazz appeared to be in big trouble. What happened next, then, was significant for the up-and-comers — a 16-0 answer of their own, propping their lead to 75-66 at the end of the third.

From there, they held on.

The Jazz went up 89-74 on a Trey Lyles 3 with 8:30 remaining, the Cavs closed, and the Jazz made their way through the final minutes. After a 14-4 run by Cleveland, Hood hit a corner 3 to jack the margin to nine, a lead that could not be erased.

At game's end, the Jazz celebrated, then acted casual, as though they'd been there before, which, of course, they actually haven't. For them, it did feel really, really good. But, as mentioned, they know a home win in January, even over what might be the best team in the league, won't mean much in April.

So … what did it mean?

Only this: The Jazz are, in fact, ascending. Not arriving … ascending.

For them, there is reason for good hope.

The double-barreled facts are that Quin Snyder's team 1) has positioned itself just shy of halfway through the season into the middle of the playoff pack in the West and 2) are at long last at full strength — for only the second game since … what, 2014?

They now are 24-16, primed to improve that mark, with easy and then tough stretches coming in the schedule. Easy, tough, it matters little at this point. What matters is that they believe, now at full strength, they can win — a lot. And who knows? Maybe they can.

GORDON MONSON hosts "The Big Show" with Spence Checketts weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on the Zone Sports Network, 97.5 FM and 1280 AM. Twitter: @GordonMonson.