Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs: Keys to the Game

Key Performer – Rodney Hood

Although Gordon Hayward didn’t play in the early win over the Spurs this season, George Hill and Derrick Favors did. Unfortunately, with Favors missing several games of late and Hill missing the last two, the Jazz may be without both of their services this time around.

On the bright side, one guy they will have who seems to be coming back into his own and was lights out in that early victory is Rodney Hood. Back on November 1, Hood lit up the Spurs with 19 points while going 4-of-8 from deep. Hood has shot an unconscious 75 percent (12-of-16) in Utah’s last three victories and if he’s able to maintain that clip tomorrow, it could very well power the Jazz to a victory.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/846595712880066560

Hood will also benefit from the fact that he’ll primarily be matched up against Danny Green, who is an outstanding player in his own right, but that also tends to be one of the Spurs’ more streaky performers. He wasn’t in action in Utah’s early season win, so it will be interesting to see how Hood performs against him. Green’s a solid defender, but not to the point where he should be able to disrupt the kind of shooter Hood has been in his past three contests.

Of course, Rodney’s been somewhat inconsistent this season, too, but that has seemingly had a lot to do with his incessant injuries. He’s starting to look more energized and smooth than ever and as he continues that recovery, I expect him to come away with a big game in tomorrow’s epic Western Conference showdown.