Utah Jazz vs. Boston Celtics: Keys to the Game

Key Performer – Gordon Hayward

After the recent comments of Celtics small forward Jae Crowder regarding Boston fans cheering for Gordon Hayward the last time the Jazz were in town, it would have been exciting to see how these two players would have matched up against one another. However, as our very own Zachary Padmore reported earlier today, Crowder will in fact be sidelined for tonight’s bout along with Avery Bradley.

I would have picked Hayward as the key performer anyway, but given that those two solid defenders who also lit the Jazz up offensively the last time these two teams met won’t be in action tonight, I have a hard time believing the Celtics will have much of an answer at all for Hayward on either end of the court.

Hayward was the main bright point from Utah’s disappointing loss to Dallas on Thursday as he finished the game with a season-high 36 points. No doubt, though, he would have preferred the win over a personal season-high scoring output, so I’m going to look for Hayward to come out anxious to do whatever it takes to step his game up even further to propel his team to a win.

Hayward has now scored 30 points or more in three of his last four contests and if he’s able to keep up that current hot streak against a shorthanded Celtics team, the Jazz will be in good shape.