Preview: Kings hope to end year, homestand on high-note vs Jazz
Dec 30, 2022, 9:12 AM | Updated: 9:35 am
(Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings (18-15) will hope to say goodbye to the year 2022 with a lighting of the beam when they end a six-game homestand against the Utah Jazz (19-18) on Friday night at Golden 1 Center.
Kings center Domantas Sabonis, who posted a season-high 31 points during Wednesday’s 127-126 win over the Denver Nuggets, will play against Utah as the potential All-Star continues to battle through a right thumb avulsion fracture.
With Sabonis playing at a high level–even with one hand–Sacramento will look to finish a six-game homestand with a 3-3 record, but they will have to defeat a Jazz team that has been somewhat of a surprise this season.
Utah has posted a winning record through the first 37 games of the season, even after trading away All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert over the summer in what looked like the beginning of a rebuild in Salt Lake City.
Instead, the Jazz are one of many teams packed around the Kings in the Western Conference standings, as just five games separate the top ten teams. Games like Friday’s could matter later in the season if Sacramento and Utah are battling for a playoff or play-in spot, so expect these two teams to play with a sense of purpose in front of a packed house at Golden 1 Center.
More Domantas Sabonis appreciation for your feed:
▪️ Sabonis' 7-game streak of 10+ PTS, 10+ REB & 5+ AST is the longest in the NBA this season
▪️ Leads the NBA in rebounds, RPG & double-doubles
▪️ 1st in Offensive Rating (134.5)
▪️ 4th in Win Shares (5.5)pic.twitter.com/iuCE0hLXU8— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) December 29, 2022
Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz Game Info
When: 7:00 PM PST
Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Pregame coverage starts at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night
Line: Kings -3.0, O/U: 241.5
Tickets: Click here
What To Watch For
Fighting Fire with Fire
The Sacramento Kings own the second-best offense in the NBA, as they will enter play on Friday with the league’s second-best points per game average (118.0). The Utah Jazz are no slouch on that end of the floor either, as they hold the fourth-best average at 116.9 points per contest.
This game could very well be a shootout, as Sacramento’s defense has regressed over the past two weeks after opening up the month of December with its best stretch of play. The Kings have allowed opponents to score 121.8 points per game and shoot 52 percent from the field and 37 percent from deep over the past five games.
Allowing a team like Utah to get hot from the field could prove fatal, as they have the weapons to make life miserable for Sacramento defenders. Lauri Markkanen is in the All-Star discussion, Jordan Clarkson is flourishing in a starting role, and Collin Sexton just recently returned from injury.
The Jazz also struggle on the defensive end, though, as their 115.1 defensive rating ranks 26th in the NBA, as opposed to the Kings’ 114.2 rating (20th in the NBA).
If you enjoy lots of offense and a little defense, this game could be the game for you.
Feed The Big Man
Utah’s defense allows the most points in the paint in the NBA this season (55.9 points per game), meaning that the Kings would be wise to let Domantas Sabonis go to work often on Friday.
Now that noted shot-blocker and Defensive Player of the Year award winner Rudy Gobert is swatting shots for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento shouldn’t shy away from attacking the rim against the likes of Kelly Olynk and Jarred Vanderbilt.
In his first game back after suffering a fracture to his right thumb, Sabonis looked unbothered on Wednesday as the 26-year-old scored a season-high 31 points (12/16 FG), grabbed 10 boards, and handed out five assists against two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
Expect Sabonis to show a similar or enhanced aggression against Utah’s frontline on Friday.
Domantas Sabonis made a massive impact in his return to action.
31 PTS
10 REB
5 AST
1 STL
1 BLK
12/18 FG
2/2 3PT
38 MIN"I think that his right hand looked pretty good to me." – Jordi Fernandezpic.twitter.com/AwEttsBubV
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) December 29, 2022
Injury Report
Sacramento
- Trey Lyles – QUESTIONABLE (right calf contusion)
- Keon Ellis & Chima Moneke are on assignment with G-League affiliate Stockton.
Utah
- Johnny Juzang & Micah Potter are on assignment with G-League affiliate Salt Lake City.
Recent History
The Sacramento Kings have lost eight-straight games against the Utah Jazz dating back to January 18, 2020.
Last win vs Utah: Kings 102, Jazz 101 – November 1, 2019
Sacramento Kings Postgame Show
Check out our Sactown Sports Kings Recap Show on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube channel!
Sactown Sports Kings Recap Shows will be happening all season long, immediately following each Kings game!
Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule
Friday, December 30th – Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz – 7:00 PM PST
2023| Happy New Year! | 2023
Sunday, January 1st – Sacramento Kings @ Memphis Grizzlies – 5:00 PM PST
Tuesday, January 3rd – Sacramento Kings @ Utah Jazz – 6:00 PM PST
Wednesday, January 4th – Sacramento Kings vs. Atlanta Hawks – 7:00 PM PST
Saturday, January 7th – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 PM PST
