Gordon Hayward Doubtful As Jazz Host Hornets
Dec 20, 2021, 1:19 PM | Updated: 1:32 pm
Former Utah Jazz star and current Charlotte Hornets Forward Gordon Hayward (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz will look to snap their two-game losing streak when they host the Charlotte Hornets who may be without Gordon Hayward at Vivint Arena.
The Hornets represent the fourth opponent in a six-game homestand for the Jazz which concludes on Christmas Day against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Jazz meanwhile are the Hornets’ fifth opponent on a six-game Western Conference road trip.
Jazz Looking To End Skid
After winning a season-high eight consecutive games, including a tough four-game road trip, the Jazz lost their momentum quickly with back-to-back losses to the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards at home on Friday and Saturday.
The Jazz allowed the Spurs to 128 points, their best total away from San Antonio, with seven different players scoring in double-digits.
Can the @utahjazz snap their losing streak tonight when they host Gordon Hayward and the @hornets? #TakeNote
📻: @kslnewsradio & @ZoneSportsNet
📺: AT&T SportsNet & @fuboTV
🎧: https://t.co/yTfV2Fd1rE pic.twitter.com/UGDL5qMr2m— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 20, 2021
On Saturday, Bradley Beal scored 37 points in Salt Lake City, while the Jazz scored just 103 points, their fifth-lowest total of the season.
The team has built double-digit leads in the first halves of both of their last two games at home, only to watch the early success slip away as they take their foot off the accelerator.
The Jazz are 20-3 on the season when they score 107 points or more and are 0-6 in games when they fail to score more than 105.
Charlotte Can Salvage Road Trip With Win
It’s been a tough road trip for the Hornets as they’ve lost three of their last four games away from home, including a 137-106 loss Sunday night to the Phoenix Suns.
The Hornets are just 3-8 in their last 11 games, and despite having the NBA’s second-best offensive rating this season, own the worst defensive rating in the NBA.
🐝 vs. 🎶#AllFly pic.twitter.com/8IxDWXPsr5
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 20, 2021
Charlotte allows 114.8 points per 100 possessions for the year, a number which has jumped to a staggering 125.8 over the last 11 games.
Former Jazzman Gordon Hayward is having a strong season with the Hornets averaging 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists whiles shooting an efficient 46 percent from the floor including 39 percent from the three-point line, but is listed as doubtful with lower back discomfort.
Broadcast
The Jazz and Hornets will tip-off at 7 pm MT and can be heard on KSL NewsRadio and The Zone Sports Network. The game will be televised on AT&T SportsNet and FuboTV.
