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Utah Jazz’s Gordon Hayward Outduels Another Superstar

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By @mrmarykateolsen

Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks

Brad Penner-USA Today Sports

Earlier this month, the Utah Jazz were able to defeat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on the back of a brilliant performance and buzzer-beating jump shot from Gordon Hayward. Tonight, it was Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks that fell prey to a monster game from Hayward.

This time, it was Trey Burke with the game-winning field goal, but Hayward’s bout with Carmelo took center-stage throughout the contest. For his part, Anthony finished with 46 points – a monster game by any account. That said, the Knicks were -10 when he was on the floor, and therein lies the difference between what each man brought to his team.

In addition to his 33 points, Hayward was good for six assists, setting the tone for a Jazz offense that had its best showing of the current five-game road swing. He also fought hard on defense and filled the passing lanes, nabbing four steals.

The laws of mathematics tell us that 46 is greater than 33 and nobody would ever claim that Hayward can put the ball in the basket like Anthony. That said, this game is another in an ever-growing list of examples of what Hayward brings to the Jazz and the versatility that puts him on par with the best wing players in the NBA.

With the win, the Jazz improve to 4-6. Are they playoff contenders now? Not at all. But they’re a young team that continues to show improvement with each game and Hayward is inching ever closer to All-Star status.

Ryan Aston covers the Utah Jazz for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @MrMaryKateOlsen or add him to your network on Google.

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