Spurs need to contain Hill when they visit Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY -- Life during Gordon Hayward's absence may not be too difficult for the Utah Jazz to handle after all. Behind the inspired play of veteran point guard George Hill, the Jazz are proving to be a tough customer even while Hayward continues to heal from a broken finger.

Hill is enjoying the finest start to a season during his nine-year NBA career. Through five games, he is averaging a team-best 21.4 points while shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point range. Hill has been a steadying influence for Utah's offense, providing energy on critical baskets and timely assists.

"I'm glad my teammates have confidence in me in controlling the tempo out there and trying to make plays," Hill said, after scoring a season-high 25 points to lead the Jazz to a 97-81 victory over Dallas on Wednesday night. "Numbers or not, I just want to win."

When the Jazz (3-2) acquired Hill in a trade with Indiana over the summer, it gave them a legitimate floor general at point guard -- something that Utah has sorely lacked in recent seasons. He has done everything the team hoped he could do -- and more -- since the trade.

Handling the scoring load just comes with the territory of Hill showing Utah that the team made a wise decision

"We had a high opinion of George, that's why we traded for him," Utah coach Quin Snyder said. "That's the essence of who he is. He's just going to do is asked of him and what he thinks that he needs to do to help us win games. That's what he's done."

San Antonio needs no introduction to how dangerous Hill can be on the court. He spent his first three years in the league with the Spurs, averaging 9.9 points and 2.4 assists in 231 games.

Hill caused all sorts of trouble for San Antonio on Tuesday, scoring 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting and dishing out seven assists to lead the Jazz to a 106-91 victory. It marked Utah's first road victory over the Spurs since 2010. It also was the team's first victory over San Antonio since a 90-81 defeat in Salt Lake City on Feb. 23, 2015.

The Spurs had no answer for the energy he generated and spread throughout the rest of the Jazz roster.

"They were aggressive the entire 48 minutes and we were in and out in that regard and it cost us," Spurs coach Greg Popovich said.

The Spurs (4-1) will be shorthanded in their quest to avenge their only loss this season. Tony Parker and Danny Green will not play on Friday night. Parker is out with a sore right knee and Green is sidelined with a left quad strain.

Their absence means Kawhi Leonard will have to deliver a big performance again for San Antonio. Leonard has led the team in scoring all five games this season and totaled 30 points against Utah. The 6th-year forward is averaging 28.4 points per game, which ranks 7th among NBA players this season.

Leonard has increased his scoring average each of the previous five seasons. He also saw significant improvements in his field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage and 3-point field-goal percentage last season.

San Antonio swept the season series with Utah a year ago, winning all four games between the two team by an average margin of 21 points.