Utah Jazz vs. New York Knicks: Keys to the Game

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Jan 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives to the basket past New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Jazz 118-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Match-up – Gordon Hayward and Carmelo Anthony

Although there’s no questioning that the New York Knicks have been an absolute train wreck once again this season, the one guy who constantly is capable of serving as a threat and hurting opposing teams is 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony.

Though some may say that a number of the Knicks’ issues have their roots with Carmelo, who hasn’t exactly developed a reputation as a solid team player or respected leader, there’s no denying that he can score with the best of them. At 22.8 points per game this season to lead his team in scoring and a career average of 24.8, Melo finds himself among the NBA’s elite and allowing him to go unchecked can definitely lead to devastating results.

Therefore, his counterpart for the Jazz, Gordon Hayward, will certainly have his work come out for him. The two were pretty evenly matched in the first contest between these two teams as they both finished with 28 points each.

However, Anthony’s came on a highly efficient 12-of-20 shooting performance (though ironically he went 0-of-6 from deep) while Hayward got his points by relentlessly attacking the rim. He shot just 6-of-17 from the field but went a perfect 14-of-14 from the free throw line.

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And while Melo most certainly has the edge on Hayward in experience and in his All-Star resume, it’s no stretch at all to say that Hayward has been much better this season despite their nearly identical scoring averages (Carmelo is at 22.8 while Hayward is at 22.0).

One of the major differences between these two this season (besides the obvious one that Hayward’s the best player on a staunch playoff team while Carmelo is the best player on a sure lottery team) has been in their efficiency. Hayward is shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from deep while Anthony is at a less impressive 43.6 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from behind the arc while averaging about three more field goal attempts per game.

Therefore, if Hayward can continue to play efficiently and outmatch Carmelo in tonight’s contest, then the team should be in great shape to come away with the win. Hayward was certainly firing on all cylinders in Monday’s loss to Indiana as he finished the game with a career-high 38 points to lead all scorers.

Hopefully some of that momentum and sharpshooting can carry over for Gordon and this time it will produce a more favorable result than in his latest outing.

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