Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings Pregame Analysis

by Alma Bean Feature Image by Craig Mitchelldyer of AP Photo The Utah Jazz (9-16) takes on the Sacramento Kings (14-9) for the first time since the season opener. What to Look For In their previous matchup, Sacramento came into Salt Lake City and rained on their parade opening the season with a 130-114 road…

Alma Bean

December 16, 2023

1–2 minutes

Alex Len, Brice Sensabaugh, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Harrison Barnes, John Collins, Johnny Juzang, Jordan Clarkson, Josh Christopher, Keegan Murray, Kelly Olynyk, Keyonte George, Luka Samanic, NBA, Omer Yurtseven, Sacramento Kings, Talen Horton-Tucker, Utah Jazz, Walker Kessler

by Alma Bean

Feature Image by Craig Mitchelldyer of AP Photo

The Utah Jazz (9-16) takes on the Sacramento Kings (14-9) for the first time since the season opener.

What to Look For

In their previous matchup, Sacramento came into Salt Lake City and rained on their parade opening the season with a 130-114 road win over Utah. In that game, Utah’s biggest struggle was containing Sacramento’s frontcourt. Harrison Barnes having his best shooting night of the season, Keegan Murray showing why he’s a focal point for Sacramento and Domantas Sabonis continuing to assert his dominance in the paint being third in the league in rebounds per game (12.4). With Utah slowly having the return of Lauri Markkanen, fans can feel a little relaxed with their number one scorer making his way back to the court fully healthy. No word if he will be on a minute count but even when he was limited to 25 minutes on Wednesday, Markkanen still had 23 points on 7/13 (53.8%) shooting.

Even with the return of Markkanen, Utah’s away record of 2-11 and Sacramento’s 8-3 home record may look pretty daunting, but Utah’s current two-win streak consisted of a top contender in the east and a road victory without their stars.

Key of the Game

Rebounds. Facing the third best rebounder in the league may funnel your eyes to bring Sabonis more attention on the boards but this is a category Utah excels in. Averaging 46.7 rebounds per game, Utah has reliability on the boards. Between Walker Kessler and Kelly Olynyk averaging a combined 14.3 rebounds per game, if they’re able to successfully boxout Sabonis through the night, rebounds should fall in Utah’s hands.

Injury Report

Sacramento – De’Aaron Fox (shoulder) Questionable, Alex Len (ankle) Out

Utah – Josh Christopher (G League) Out, Jordan Clarkson (thigh) Out, John Collins (illness) Out, Keyonte George (foot) Out, Talen Horton-Tucker (illness) Questionable, Johnny Juzang (G League) Questionable, Luka Samanic (illness) Out, Brice Sensabaugh (G League) Out, Omer Yurtseven (illness) Out

Where to Watch

Tip-off will be at 8:00 p.m. MST on KJZZ, Jazz+ and NBATV.

Author

Written by

Alma Bean

I am currently a student at the University of Utah working toward my second bachelor’s degree, this time in communication with an emphasis in journalism. I currently have a bachelor’s degree in music from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. As I pursue a degree in communication, I dream to bring this emphasis of journalism to the world of sports. When I’m not writing, I allow my inner basketball fan to come out as I watch previous games and highlights across the NBA to become a walking, talking sports almanac.

The Hive Sports