Favors' career highs another sign of good things to come for Jazz

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SALT LAKE CITY — Coming off a career-high rebounding night against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, Jazzman Derrick Favors put up even bigger numbers against the Golden State Warriors Saturday night, propelling the Jazz to a 99-92 overtime win.

Favors, who started his 14th game of the season, had one of the best games of his career, scoring 23 points, grabbing 17 rebounds and going perfect from the free throw line, including one clutch free throw in the final seconds to send the game into overtime. Favors' 23 points and 17 rebounds were both career highs and key to the Jazz pulling out a much-needed victory before traveling to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers Sunday.

Filling in for starter Al Jefferson, who was away attending to the recent passing of his grandmother, Favors impressed Corbin with his performance, showing there is much to be anticipated about the young player's future.

"It showed in the game," Jazz head coach Ty Corbin said. "He was relaxed. I think he did a great job just coming in there ready to play and not forcing things early — letting the game come to him. As a result. he had a great game."

From the time Favors was traded to the Jazz, coaches, players and analysts have talked about his great potential. As Favors gets more comfortable with the team, he appears to be approaching that potential. And with performances like Saturday night, the future looks bright for the Jazz and Favors' career.

And while the opportunity for Favors to impress Corbin and others was on display Saturday night, Favors said he simply tries to seize any opportunity he gets — making the best out of his minutes, whether great or small.

"It comes with a bigger responsibility," Favors said. "Just be out there every night, be ready to play, whether it's scoring, defense, rebounding or whatever, I've just got to be ready. We've all got to seize the opportunities we get because you might not get it again."

"He had a great game," added Gordon Hayward. "I don't want to blow it up; it could be an everyday thing for him — he's that good. We need another one of those tomorrow. I think he's done that multiple times this year already. He's came in and stepped up when he's gotten the chance."

And although Favors had a career-high night, it was Hayward and the younger players that brought a much-needed spark to the team's late run. Working on both ends of the court, Hayward brought the crowd into the game, blocking a shot and scoring a fast break dunk. As a result, Corbin went with his younger players in the final minutes of the game, letting them fight for the win.

He had a great game. I don't want to blow it up; it could be an everyday thing for him — he's that good. We need another one of those tomorrow. I think he's done that multiple times this year already. He's came in and stepped up when he's gotten the chance.

–Gordon Hayward

Corbin said the patience with Favors and the other young players on the team is starting to pay off as they develop and come together as a team.

"We're patient with the guys and they've been learning and working their tails off trying to get better," he said. "Now, they're ready for some time on the floor. So, it's time for them to learn and get the game experience and to give us a chance to win. It also gives them an opportunity to develop. It's tremendous growth for the group and confidence for these guys and how they can count on each other."

"When you've got a bunch of young guys that like each other, they tend to play for each other, and that's what we've got here," added Jamaal Tinsley. "They play for each other, play hard and play for the coaching staff, and we know that we do that as a group."

And while much of the attention was on Favors and the performances of the other young players Saturday night, Favors said the team is more worried about the end result.

"We're trying to get back in the playoff race," he said. "We've got to start playing like a playoff team and we showed it tonight."

The Jazz will travel to take on the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night. The matchup will be the fourth time the two teams have met this season, with the Jazz winning the last game at home. A win Sunday would even the series between the two teams.