Curt Cavin

For the Indiana Pacers, veteran guard A.J. Price is finder's keepers -- at least for the time being.

For how long remains to be seen, and the NBA rule is so confusing that not even Frank Vogel can say.

But Monday night's winning coach knows he wants Price around as long as possible, especially after his 22-point night helped Indiana end a six-game losing streak with a 97-86 victory over the Utah Jazz.

BOX SCORE:Pacers 97, Jazz 86

Originally drafted by the Pacers in 2009, the journeyman Price was signed last week to a rare hardship exemption that allows teams devastated by injuries to extend beyond the 15-player limit.

Price, whom Cleveland released Nov. 1, is essentially working on a 10-day contract, but apparently there's a clause that could allow for more time if a minimum number of players remain out. At this point, the Pacers still have that many casualties.

Price isn't squandering time considering the possibilities. He's had only two abbreviated game-day practices to re-learn his way here.

"I'm playing for my life, man," he said after making 8-of-12 shots in his highest-scoring game since the last game of the 2013 season (playing for Washington). "I'm staying till they tell me to go or tell me to stay longer, either or.

"I just worry about what I can control. I'm out here right now; I'm here. I'm going to keep playing as hard as I can, 110 percent every day."

Price played 25 minutes in his third game back with the Pacers, delivering three fourth-quarter 3-pointers. He looked particularly fluid playing alongside stand-in starting point guard Donald Sloan.

"The system's a little different, the players are a little different and at the end of the day I'm still comfortable, if that makes any sense," Price said. "I was drafted here (in the second round). It's a comfort level just being in this building, being around these certain fans, being around the coaching staff (and it's) allowing me to play freely and be confident."

Said Vogel: "He can play. I don't know why he's bouncing around (from team to team), to be honest with you. He belongs in this league."

Roy Hibbert, who appeared rested two days after banging his left knee two nights earlier, was superb, too. His 29 points came in a variety of ways, including a high-arching baseline turnaround to end the first half.

Vogel said Utah's defensive approach -- playing behind the opponent with double-team help -- gave Hibbert more freedom, and the 7-2 center capitalized.

"I was just trying to be aggressive, (and) my teammates found me in spots," Hibbert said. "I tried to establish myself early."

In addition to praising Price, Hibbert credited backup post player Lavoy Allen, who had 12 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.

The Pacers' win spoiled the return of Jazz forward Gordon Hayward, the Brownsburg native and former Butler standout who scored a season-high 30 points, his most as a pro at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It was his fifth career 30-point game, and he fueled it with 10 points in the second quarter, 13 more in the third. He finished 11-of-15 shooting with eight defensive rebounds, five assists and a come-from-behind blocked shot.

Hayward had a bad fall in the third quarter when he landed squarely on his left hip contesting a Solomon Hill dunk. He limped briefly but appeared better with rest.

Hayward fell to 1-4 here against the Pacers.

Utah is 3-5 this season. The Pacers improved to 2-6.

Follow Star reporter Curt Cavin on Twitter: @curtcavin.