NBA: 8 players who will breakout during the post-All-Star playoff push

Gordon Hayward, Boston Celtics

Pre all-star numbers: 11.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.0 spg, 0.3 bpg, .438/.337/.852

On February 5th, Gordon Hayward played his first game in Cleveland after suffering that horrific ankle injury at the start of last season. In the game, he recorded 18 points, six rebounds and five assists on 9/14 shooting from the floor.

This game seems like it could be a turning point in his season as, since that game, he has put up 17, 5 and 5 per night. Granted this is just a five-game sample size but if you watch him, you can see he is playing with more assertiveness, aggressiveness and confidence.

Here’s hoping he can carry this into the second half of the season and into the playoffs. If he can, Boston may just force themselves back into the conversation for Finals favorites in the Eastern Conference.

Post all-star numbers (prediction): 14-15 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg, 45% fg, 39% 3-pt, 85% ft