Gordon Hayward: Explods for game-high 36 points Thursday

Hayward, who has a robust 28.6 percent usage rate when George Hill is off the
floor this season, unsurprisingly stepped up his involvement Thursday in the
wake of the latter’s absence due to a sore toe. It was the seven-year veteran’s
third 30-point performance in the last four games, and his 27 shot attempts were
the most he’d put up all season. His four three-pointers also equaled a season
best, while his 43 minutes represented a high-water mark as well. Factoring in
Thursday’s production, Hayward is averaging a superb 28.6 points, 6.0 rebounds,
3.6 assists and 1.6 steals over five February contests, and could be in for
another game with some extra run if Hill is unable to take the court against the
Celtics on Saturday.