Key Performer – Gordon Hayward
This is the first time I’ve done this all season, but I’m going to pin the same guy in both the key match-up and as the key performer. While there’s bound to be plenty of important contributors, after Hayward’s performance in the last bout between Utah and Cleveland, it only seems fitting.
If you hadn’t noticed I’m still not quite over just how incredible the duel between James and Hayward really was. Gordon’s ability to step up and take charge of the game for the Jazz was one of his defining moments this season. He had done many great things before that game and continues to do them since, but his performance against Cleveland was what solidified my belief that he had indeed reached All-Star status this season.
And for the Jazz to win tonight, he’ll have to follow that up. The Cavs are going to go on their runs, LeBron is going to hit his shots and the Jazz may even find themselves struggling at times to keep pace. But regardless of how they’re hit and what challenges they face, they’ll have to find a way to weather the storms during the course of the game and simply stay at least within striking distance.
Their ability to do that will likely come down to how well Gordon Hayward is able to lead them in that regard. Every time it looked like LeBron was going to take over the recent game in Salt Lake, Hayward flipped the script and regained control for the Jazz.
It’s going to be much harder for him to repeat that on the road in the second night of a back-to-back, but that is the kind of poise, grit and leadership that Utah will need from their All-Star if they hope to steal a win from the defending champs.