Game Preview
The Sacramento Kings (11-13) host the struggling Utah Jazz (5-17) in an intriguing matchup on Sunday. While the Kings have hovered around .500 on the season, their recent form has dipped, going just 3-7 over their last 10 games. However, they'll look to build on a narrow win in their previous outing, aiming to string together consecutive victories for the first time in nearly three weeks.
Offensively, Sacramento has been a handful, averaging a robust 115.4 points per game on the year. They've been even more potent over their last five, pouring in 120.2 points per contest while shooting a blistering 47.9% from the field. The Kings have moved the ball effectively too, dishing out 29.2 assists per game during this stretch, a marked improvement over their season average.
On the other end, Sacramento's defense has been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride. While they've clamped down recently, allowing just 116.2 points over the last five games, they've been far too generous for much of the season, surrendering 113.9 points per night. Containing dribble penetration and protecting the paint will be crucial against the Jazz.
Utah, meanwhile, has endured a dismal campaign thus far, their 5-17 record a stark reflection of their struggles. Averaging just 109.7 points per game, the Jazz have lacked offensive firepower, compounded by a porous defense that's hemorrhaged 117.7 points nightly. Their woes have persisted recently too, as they've dropped 8 of their last 10, scoring an anemic 112.5 points per game over that stretch.
While the Jazz have shown flashes, particularly from beyond the arc where they've knocked down 35.6% of their three-point attempts over their last 20 games, consistency has evaded them. Turnovers have plagued Utah, as they've coughed up a concerning 17.2 turnovers per game this season. Valuing possessions and generating quality looks will be paramount if they hope to pull off the upset in Sacramento.