The Sacramento Kings play host to the Utah Jazz at the Golden 1 Center on Friday night. Here’s a Kings vs Jazz Prediction. This article will include a Kings vs Jazz Pick.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
The Utah Jazz will be eager to stay hot after blowing past the Clippers in a surprising 129-108 home win on Wednesday. Walker Kessler led the team in scoring with 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists on seven of seven shooting, Brice Sensabaugh and Lauri Markkanen each scored 20 points while Keyonte George chipped in with 16 points and nine rebounds.
As a team, the Jazz shot a healthy 55 percent from the field and 17 of 44 from the 3-point line, but it was really their defense that kicked things off as they forced turnover after turnover. They were always in control after dominating the first half by 35 points. 78-47. In fact, the Jazz led by as many as 37 points early on before they took their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter and rested their starters early.
Sacramento Kings Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings will be hoping to avoid a second straight defeat after getting beaten by the Suns in a 120-116 road defeat on Wednesday night. Zach LaVine led the team with 30 points on 13 of 24 shooting, DeMar DeRozan added 29 points with six rebounds and nine assists on 12 of 17 shooting while Malik Monk chipped in with 19 points off the bench.
As a team, the Kings shot 50 percent from the field and nine of 24 from the 3-point line as they got off to a terrific start and dominated the first half to take an early 20-point lead. Only to get outscored by 66-45 in the second half to allow the Suns to run them down with time to spare. Russell Westbrook had a rough outing for his new squad as he finished with just six points on two of eight shooting in 19 minutes off the bench.
Why the Sacramento Kings will win
- The Jazz have lost each of their last 21 road games.
- The Kings have won each of their last eight games against the Jazz.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Kings have covered the spread in six of their last seven games against the Jazz.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Kings have lost each of their last three home openers as favorites.
- The Jazz have won 13 of their last 16 games against Kings teams that held a losing record.
- The Kings have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games against Jazz teams that held a winning record.
- The Jazz have covered the spread in each of their last five games against the Kings following a home win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Kings’ last six home games following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Jazz’s last six night games have gone OVER the total points line.
Sacramento Kings Player Facts
- DeMar DeRozan ranks T1st amongst qualified Forwards for assists per game (9.0) this season.
- Zach LaVine ranks T10th amongst qualified players for points in the paint per game (14.0) this season.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- Brice Sensabaugh ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
- Walker Kessler ranks T1st amongst qualified players for 3P% (100.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Kings rank 30th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (18.0).
- The Kings rank 30th in the league for free throw percentage this season (56.5%).
- The Jazz rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (38.0).
- The Jazz rank 1st in the league for steals per game this season (11.0).
Kings vs Jazz Prediction
The Jazz are still missing Georges Niang and Isaiah Collier, while the Kings have ruled out Keegan Murray and they are keeping an eye on Domantas Sabonis who is questionable with a hamstring strain. The Kings might still be kicking themselves after blowing a 20-point lead to the Suns in an ugly loss on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Jazz have plenty to be excited about after dismantling the Clippers in an impressive showing in their first game.
It would be fair to assume that the Jazz would take some time to build chemistry with all their young players, but certainly didn’t look like the case on Wednesday. Now they have to replicate that effort on the road. The Kings are the more talented team and they will be eager to atone for their embarrassing loss, but I think the Jazz can surprise once again if they got off to a quick start.