Croatian international Gordan Giricek provided a big boost early as the Utah Jazz beat the New Orleans Hornets 89-76 on Wednesday night.

Giricek, acquired in a trade with Orlando earlier in the season, poured in a team-high 19 points on nine of 15 shooting for the game.

The Jazz (39-36) took sole possession of the eighth and final play-off spot in the West, thanks to the contributions of an unlikely hero.

Journeyman forward-centre Mikki Moore led a huge fourth-quarter charge as he scored all 15 of his points in the period.

With 9:47 to play, Moore sank a short runner off the glass, igniting a 14-2 run that gave the Jazz a commanding 77-60 lead with less than five minutes to play. He had 10 points in the run.

"He did a great job tonight," Russian international forward Andrei Kirilenko said.

"Coach (Jerry Sloan) gave him the time and he showed he can play good basketball. He helped us win the game. ... Mikki came off the bench and just brought some fresh energy. He was like a veteran, he fought through everything."

New Orleans tried to rally in the game's final minutes but never got any closer than 10 points.