Preview: Sacramento Kings Have A Chance To Make Playoff Ground Tonight In Utah
By Rafe Wong
Last night the Sacramento Kings gave up a gimme. Simple as that. But for Kings fans, that’s normal life.
When the New Orleans Pelicans came to town Wednesday it was a game that Sacramento needed to win. At the time, the team was down 2 games from the 8th seed in the Western Conference, and a potential win could have gained more ground towards the Utah Jazz (current 8th seed) and add momentum to a Kings team that last week played well.
Unfortunately, that was not the case and the Kings lost the game 109-97. They do have the chance to make up the wrong, sort of, by coming out with a win against the Utah Jazz in the second part of a back-to-back.
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The Utah Jazz are a young team on the rise. They consist of good and young talent in players like Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gobert, and many more. Also, they have a coach in Quin Snyder that looks to be a long-term solution for the franchise in the head coaching position.
This is a game that the Kings cannot squander. They are currently playing catch-up in the playoff race and a win against the Jazz, who currently hold one of the eight playoff spots, will help Sacramento make major ground.
For the Kings to be successful tonight they will need players other than DeMarcus Cousins to be efficient offensively. With Gobert being Utah’s paint protector don’t expect Cousins to be dominant unless his three-point stroke is rolling.
That means players like Rudy Gay and Rajon Rondo will have to live up to their roles as the 2nd and 3rd options for the team. Also, players like Darren Collison and any one of the two guards (ideally Ben McLemore) need to step up as well and have good offensive outings.
On the defensive side for the Kings it’s simple, play good defense, particularly on the perimeter. The Kings three-point defense last night against New Orleans was one of the main reasons the Kings left with a loss, and if they repeat their defensive performance from last night the Jazz will do the same.
For the Kings to be successful defensively they need to show more energy by sticking with rotations and closing out on jump shots more aggressively. Basically trying to fix the same deficiencies this team has suffered since Day 1. If the Kings are unable to do so, players on the Jazz like Hayward, Rodney Hood, and Trey Burke will make them pay.
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Overall tonight is a big game that the Kings need to win to gain ground in the playoff race. Last time these two teams met the Kings came out victorious, but the Jazz were without the services of Gobert. So considering that and also that the game is in Utah tonight will be more of a challenge for the Kings.
Hopefully last night against New Orleans was a hiccup, and Sacramento can right the wrong from it. If they play clean basketball and find more contributors on the offensive end, plus defensively have a solid outing they have a chance in winning this game.