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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Jazz challenged Gordon Hayward to push his game even further last summer and become a more versatile scorer. The Jazz are seeing those results on a nightly basis through the first quarter of the season.Hayward matched his season high with 32 points and the Jazz beat the Denver Nuggets 105-98 on Saturday night.We talked about this early in the season. We felt like hed expanded his game, Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. He added a comfort-level in the post. ... And hes shooting off screens. Hes able to score in multiple ways.When someone takes something away, hes able to have another option. The biggest thing Gordons been doing is defending and, as a result, hes getting some easy baskets.The Jazz used a 31-8 stretch in the third quarter to blow open the game. Hayward took over, scoring both inside and on the perimeter, with 21 points in the quarter. It was the third consecutive 30-point game for the seven-year veteran, who is averaging a career-high 22.8 points and has scored 20-plus points in 11 of 14 games this season. This is the first three-game, 30-point stretch of Haywards career.Its a lot of work that I put in this summer, for sure, Hayward said. But, also, were running some good sets for me. ... Just continuing to see the floor a lot better. Seeing where my shots are coming. Taking advantage of how the defense is guarding me. ... Just trusting the work that I did.When Im active and play with a little bounce on the defensive end, Im definitely more confident offensively because of that. Its all about staying active and getting myself involved in the game.Rodney Hood chipped in 15 for the Jazz.Wilson Chandler and Will Barton each scored 20 for Denver.Denver knocked down seven 3-pointers trying to rally in the fourth quarter, but couldnt complete the comeback. The Nuggets matched a season high with 13 3-pointers.The Jazz took a 49-47 lead into halftime after a back-and-forth opening 24 minutes in which neither team was able to string together a significant run. Neither team shot the ball well from distance in the first half as the two teams were a combined 4 for 15 from behind the arc.Im happy we showed a lot of fight and heart getting back in the game, not dropping our heads and feeling sorry for ourselves, Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. Hopefully, that can give us a little juice going forward.Im just really happy with the fact we competed tonight. Thats step No. 1 in our recovery.TIP-INSNuggets: Nikola Jokic missed his second straight game with a left wrist sprain. ... Denver is now 0-8 when trailing after the third quarter. ... The Nuggets have won just one road game since Nov. 6.Jazz: Hood returned to the starting lineup after missing the last game with a hamstring injury. He went down hard in the third quarter and limped to the bench, but stayed in the game. ... George Hill missed his second consecutive game with a sprained left big toe.TOUGH TIMESThe Nuggets have lost five of six with a lengthy road trip ahead. Malone is not thrilled with the state of his team.Right now, I am living minute-by-minute, day-by-day, Malone said. We arent playing good basketball right now. Its no secret. Our defense is evaporating rapidly.QUOTABLEWe started out in the first half doing all the right things, Chandler said. It was in the third quarter we kind of got away from that. Everybody, not just one person. We had to climb uphill and exert so much energy. Its hard to fight back from a 20-point deficit and get the win.UP NEXTNuggets: Denver visits Philadelphia on Monday for the second game of a six-game trip.Jazz: Utah travels to face the Los Angeles Lakers and No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram on Monday. Yeezy 700 Black Outlet . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. Fake Yeezy 350 V2 . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. http://www.yeezy700outlet.com/discount-yeezy-700-hospital-blue-online.html . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Fake Yeezy 700 White . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. Yeezy 700 Magnet Outlet . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win.HOUSTON -- The low-budget Astros have made an investment in their future, signing second baseman Jose Altuve to a four-year contract through 2017. Altuves deal with Houston announced Saturday covers his arbitration-eligible years and includes club options for 2018 and 2019. If the options arent exercised, he would be eligible for free agency after the 2017 season. The 23-year-old Altuve was an All-Star in 2012. He is hitting .280 with 15 doubles, three homers and 28 RBIs this season. "This contract is consistent with our strategy of developing and retaining the best young talent in baseball," team owner Jim Crane said. "All along, Ive maintained that we will make the necessary investments to create a winning team long-term, and this is an important step in that direction." The 5-foot-5 Altuve has become a fan favourite and one of the few bright spots on a team which has slogged through consecutive 100-loss seasons and looks to be headed for a third one this season. He made his major league debut in July 2011 and blossomed last season whenn he hit .dddddddddddd290 with 34 doubles, seven home runs and 33 stolen bases. "Jose has quickly become the face of the franchise in less than two years, and we are excited to keep him here for many years to come," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "He provides leadership both on and off the field and has become a big part of the Houston sports community." Altuve was Houstons minor league player of the year in 2011 when he led the minors with a .389 average before being called up to the Astros. He quickly developed into a solid player for this young team and has appeared in 287 games since being called up. Altuve is the youngest everyday second baseman in the majors and his continued growth is a positive sign for a team hoping to rebuild from within. "Im really happy to be a part of the Houston Astros organization," Altuve said. "I just want to keep playing hard and help this team win games. I love my teammates and the people of Houston and Im going to do everything I can to improve and win baseball games." ' ' '