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Hayward’s Perfect Night Sinks Houston Rockets in OT – Player Grades

By Andre Cantalogo

Feb 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) defends against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) defends against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the eighth seed up for grabs the Houston Rockets faced the Utah Jazz desperate for a road win, but lost in overtime.

117. 118. . 114. 169

The game against the Jazz began the same way Rockets’ fans have unfortunately become accustomed to this season, with Houston making tons of mistakes, not taking care of the ball and committing a lot of silly turnovers. The Jazz took advantage early and managed to mount a small lead, mostly due to Gordon Hayward’s three-point shooting.

Despite Utah’s early lead, Quinn Snyder’s side just wasn’t able to build up on it, mostly due to their own turnovers.

Both teams kept playing really bad basketball, giving up easy possessions, committing fouls, missing easy layups, etc. Sometimes it even felt as if the Rockets were playing the Grizzlies. In all reality it was a really ugly game until the fourth quarter when the game got some traction.

In the end, led by Gordon Hayward and fueled by performances from the recent acquired Shelvin Mack and bench asset Trey Burke the Jazz took the lead.

And, if not for a clutch three-point shot by veteran Jason Terry the Jazz could have taken the game in regulation. In overtime it was time for Rodney Hood to seal the deal for the Jazz. That’s what happens when your head coach knows how to use their bench, folks!

Here’s the player grades for the night:

Rockets Player Grades

<a href=. SF. Houston Rockets. TREVOR ARIZA. A

C. I’d have to agree with Houston Rockets color commentator and former Rockets player Matt Bullard when he said during the broadcast that <a href=. PF. Houston Rockets. JOSH SMITH

DWIGHT HOWARD. B+. <a href=. C. Houston Rockets

A+. <a href=. SG. Houston Rockets. JAMES HARDEN

B-. Patrick Beverley started the game aggressively. He was harassing Hayward from the beginning, and in fact even got some steals. I sure would love to see more of this aggressiveness on the offensive end as well. 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals for Bev. . PG. Houston Rockets. PATRICK BEVERLEY

Best Reserve

JASON TERRY. F+. Dreadful performance by J.B. Bickerstaff’s bench. <a href=. G. Houston Rockets

Best Opponent:

GORDON HAYWARD. A+. Until the very end of the fourth quarter when he missed a free-throw <a href=. SF. Utah Jazz

Next: Daily Rocket Power Forward Edition

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