NBA Playoffs: 6 X-Factors that could shift a series
By Dan Knitzer
Gordon Hayward, Boston Celtics
The stats are pretty conclusive on the matter of Boston Celtics team success and Gordon Hayward’s scoring performances. He has looked way better the past few months, but especially in his final seven games, where he has looked like a dream 3rd option, or even a 2nd.
If he can be a 15 point scorer who can carry the offense the rare moments Kyrie Irving and/Jayson Tatum sit, and scare opponents from double-teaming either of those guys when they share the floor, he significantly raises the team’s ceiling.
On the other hand, if he resembles the scared lumbering player we saw the most of the season who was afraid of going to the rim, Irving and Tatum may be tasked with scoring more than they can handle.