Key Performer – George Hill
I feel like I’ve jinxed George Hill by slotting him as a key performer before recent contests, but nevertheless he is way overdue for a solid performance and he should be able to find his groove tonight against the Bucks.
While the six-foot-eleven Antetokounmpo has turned into a force by being allowed to run the point guard position, he’ll still largely be matched-up with Gordon Hayward. Meanwhile, George Hill will likely see most of his time going head-to-head against a more traditional point guard in Matthew Dellavedova.
Although Delly is a feisty and solid player in his own right, he isn’t the kind of lockdown defender that ought to be able to shut down George Hill. Having largely been a bench player until this season with Milwaukee, he isn’t nearly as experienced or used to having to play such significant minutes.
Offensively, he hasn’t been able to find his shot all that well this year, so Hill should have no problem stopping him while putting up considerably more points of his own.
George Hill’s recent decline in production and efficiency were one of the leading contributors to Utah’s three losses last week. Nevertheless, with Milwaukee having few defensive stoppers to slow him and given that he is in serious need of getting back on track, I project that he’ll be the Jazz’s top performer tonight.