The Utah Jazz travel to the Golden 1 Center to do battle with the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. Here’s a Kings vs. Jazz prediction. This article will include a Kings vs. Jazz pick.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
The Utah Jazz have been doing it tough as they’ve dropped 10 of their last 12 games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting stopped by the Trail Blazers in a 124-114 loss on Friday. Brice Sensabaugh led the team with 31 points on 12 of 19 shooting, Cody Williams added 19 points, and Isaiah Collier chipped in with 17 points and nine assists. As a team, the Jazz shot 46 percent from the field and 13 of 30 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 38 points in the first quarter to take an early 18-point lead, but it didn’t last long at all as the Jazz were already trailing by halftime after getting outscored by 38-20 in the second quarter. The game tightened up in the second half, but the Jazz were always two steps behind and just couldn’t manufacture a run to threaten at the end.
Sacramento Kings Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings have come to life with three wins in their past four games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after outlasting the Clippers in a 118-108 road win last night. DeMar DeRozan led the team with 27 points and seven assists on 11 of 14 shooting, Precious Achiuwa added 25 points with 13 rebounds and four blocks, Maxime Raynaud scored 23 points on 11 of 12 shooting, and Russell Westbrook tallied a triple-double of 12 points with 12 rebounds and 10 assists. As a team, the Kings shot a sizzling 59 percent from the field and 12 of 27 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 68 points in the first half and led by as many as 20 points before they survived a late rally from the Clippers, who made it interesting at the end.
Why the Sacramento Kings will win
- The Jazz have lost each of their last 17 road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The favorites have won each of the last 11 games between the Jazz and Kings.
- The Kings have covered the spread in each of their last five home games after winning as underdogs.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six road games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Kings have lost each of their last seven games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Jazz have won four of their last five road games against the Kings following a road loss.
- The Kings have failed to cover the spread in 13 of their last 14 games as home favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Jazz have covered the spread in each of their last five games following a loss.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Kings’ last six home games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Jazz’s last five road games against the Kings following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Kings rank 30th in the league for three-point percentage this season (33.5%).
- The Kings rank 30th in the league for three-point field goals made per game this season (10.0).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent points per game this season (125.0).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (30.4).
Kings vs Jazz Prediction
The Jazz are still missing Jusuf Nurkic, Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski and Lauri Markkanen, while the Kings are still missing Isaiah Stevens, Keegan Murray, Devin Carter, Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine. Just a week ago I would have been saying that the Jazz and the Kings are two of the coldest teams in the league right now, but the Kings have been able to surprise a few teams recently despite their long injury list and I think they can keep it going with a narrow win and cover at this short line at home.