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Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets: Keys to the Game

By Jared Woodcox

Nov 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives to the hoop against Denver Nuggets guard Malik Beasley (25) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Denver Nuggets 108-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives to the hoop against Denver Nuggets guard Malik Beasley (25) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Denver Nuggets 108-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) passes to center Rudy Gobert (27) as he is guarded by Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35), guard Jameer Nelson (1) and forward Wilson Chandler (21) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Denver Nuggets 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) passes to center Rudy Gobert (27) as he is guarded by Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35), guard Jameer Nelson (1) and forward Wilson Chandler (21) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Denver Nuggets 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Performer – Gordon Hayward

The last time the Jazz and Nuggets faced off, Gordon Hayward was far and above the best player on the court as he finished with 32 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from deep.

And I fully expect Hayward to be the key guy this time around as well. He always seems to match up well against Denver’s leading scorer and starting small forward, Danilo Gallinari, and beyond him the Nuggets have few defenders that will be able to mark Hayward.

He’ll also likely be looking to bounce back from last night’s tough loss in which he struggled mightily to find his shot. Gordon went just 6-of-17 from the field and was a -17 for the night.

The Jazz definitely didn’t play anywhere close to their best basketball against the Thunder in last night’s loss and may struggle to do so again tonight given the fatigue they’ll be facing. Nevertheless, if Hayward is able to bounce back and Utah is able to fully lock in on defense, they may be able to overcome tired legs and grind out a win against the fast-paced Nuggets.

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