Gordon Hayward had himself a game in the Utah Jazz's one-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, scoring 22 points, 10 of those in the fourth quarter. He had the game-clinching free throw and played great defense on Kobe Bryant. But his most emphatic play of the game came on a late dunk that hushed Staples Center, an arena that frankly doesn't need to be hushed during the regular season.
VIDEO: Gordon Hayward Burns Kobe Bryant, Dunks All Over Lakers
Bryant gets caught up on a good screen by rookie Derrick Favors, and neither Derek Fisher or Pau Gasol cut off the darting Hayward as the Butler product zips through the lane. Before Hayward even takes off for the dunk, Kobe is demonstratively blaming his teammates; it's worth noting that if Ron Artest had hit his rotation on time and forced Hayward to pass at the rim, Kobe was nowhere near Favors, who could have taken a drop-off and scored two, too.
In the end, it’s a great read by Hayward leading to a highlight reel dunk, and it’s evidence L.A. just wants to get to the playoffs already.
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