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Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Keys to the Game

By Jared Woodcox

Mar 6, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives to the hoop past New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Jordan Crawford (4) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 88-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) drives to the hoop past New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and guard Jordan Crawford (4) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 88-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard E’Twaun Moore (55) and guard Jrue Holiday (11) and forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans guard E’Twaun Moore (55) and guard Jrue Holiday (11) and forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Performer – Rudy Gobert

It wasn’t long ago that I said that I didn’t like pinning the same player in both the key match-up and as the key performer. But nevertheless, here I go at it again.

The fact of the matter is though, with Hayward questionable for the contest and all three of Utah’s remaining starters struggling, the only guy I trust to pin as the key performer tonight is the one that has shown up ready to play hard night in and night out.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/845782629018324992

As I’ve already touched on, Gobert’s going to have his work cut out for him especially if he has to stop both Cousins and Davis in the paint.

Nevertheless, Rudy has seemed to thrive in such situations against opposing superstars when the pressure has been highest as he looks to prove himself as one of the best in the game as well. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to want to defend the statements he made following the loss to LA and thus come out ready to compete at a level even higher than before.

Combine that level of determination with the simple fact that Gobert has been on an absolute tear lately, logging nine double-doubles in his last ten outings, and he’s likely setting himself up for an absolute monster game.

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