The Sacramento Kings (25-39) have beaten the Utah Jazz (30-35) in both their previous matchups this season. The Kings, who have only won two games out of their past ten would like to make that three wins tonight in Sleep Train Arena.
At the beginning of the year, the Kings thought they would be in the same position the Jazz are in right now. Utah is currently battling to make the playoffs.
They are just three games out of the eighth/seventh spot in the Western Conference, trailing the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.
Utah has been struggling lately, though, mostly due to injuries in their frontcourt, including guard Alec Burks. But they will be motivated to stay in the hunt for the playoffs and to finally win one against the Kings.
The Kings are looking to somehow save what appears to be a sinking ship and win one at home against a hobbled Jazz.
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The Kings lost at home Friday to the Orlando Magic without DeMarcus Cousins, who was suspended for yelling on and off the court at coach George Karl. Cousins will be back in the lineup tonight, which is a good thing for the Kings who struggle when he’s not on the court.
Cousins had 36 points and 17 rebounds the last time these teams met in Salt Lake City. Sacramento also relies on Boogie’s huge presence in the paint.
Rudy Gay and the Kings guards rely on Cousins attracting double and triple teams that allow them to get open shots. When Cousins isn’t playing, you get games like Friday where it’s backup center Kosta Koufos scored a team high of 19 points, and not Gay or Darren Collison.
Rudy Gay is always a factor in Kings wins. If he is shooting well, the Kings win. If not, like against the Magic where he struggled missing seven of nine shots from the field, they lose. He has played well against the Jazz this season, including the game winning shot he had in Utah, winning 103-101 in January. (A reminder to Coach Karl: Rudy is pretty clutch).
The Kings Three Keys To Victory
Make Free Throws-
This is just a pet peeve of mine, but the Kings are missing way too many free throws this year. Even Boogie, who has relied on getting to the line and making them in the past is missing a lot from the charity stripe. And in some cases, the missed free throws are the difference between a win or a loss.
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Playing some defense would be nice as well. Any sort of defense would do. The match-up to watch will be Gordon Hayward and whoever on the Kings is guarding him tonight. If he is contained the Kings should get a much need win.