Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings, NBA 2024-25 Season, Today Match Prediction

Teams Preview

Utah Jazz Preview

The Utah Jazz have had a very rough season so far as they have been very underwhelming this season. The Utah Jazz rank at the bottom of the Northwest Division in 5th place and are last in the Western Conference in 15th place, with a record of 14-43. In their last 10 matches. They record 3-7 and have a negative 7-point differential.

They're rebounding 45.7 a night (5th in the league) and getting an average of 25.6 assists a night (18th in the league). At 54.4%, for two-point shooting and 35.4%, from three-pointers. On defense, they give up a lot as they concede 119.4 per night (28th league). They average 112.4 points a night ranking them 19th in the league. Lauri Markkanen averages 19.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists and leads the team. John Collins averages 18.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists along with 1.1 blocks per game and a team-high 1 steal per game. Collin Sexton averages 18.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Walker Kesler leads the team in rebounds with 12.4 rebounds per game as well as 2.4 blocks per game.

Injuries appear never to get the right time for a visit as three players of the team are reportedly put into day-to-day status, among whom include John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kesler. Jordan Clarkson, Colin Sexton, and Taylor Hendricks are ruled out due to injury. Tthe opening five for the Jazz would be: point guard Isaiah Colier, shooting guard Brice Sensabaugh, small forward Lauri Markkanen, power forward K. Martin if John Collins isn't available, and center Walker Kessler. 

Sacramento Kings Preview

After the firing of their head coach Mike Brown, the other topic of interest has been the trade of their main scorer, De’Aaron Fox. The trade saw De’Aaron Fox sent to the Spurs and Zach Lavine being traded to the Sacramento Kings, in a 3-team trade deal. He reunites with his former Bulls star, Demar Derozan. Currently, the Sacramento Kings display a 29-28 record ranking them 10th in the Western Conference and 4th in the Pacific Division. The Californian side will want to get some consistency in their game moving forward with them winning 5 and losing 5 in February. 

In terms of their performances, the Kings are averaging a modest 116.9 points per game which is the seventh-best record in the league at the time of writing. On the other hand, their defensive performances are a cause for concern as they concede 115.8 points per game ranking them 22nd overall. The team records 45 rebounds per game and 26.9 assists per game ranking them 12th in their respective categories. As far as their talents go De’Aaron Fox was their leading man. The star man had averaged 25 points per game, 5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists this season. His departure makes DeMar DeRozan the leading scorer of the team. He is currently averaging 22.1 points per game. Zach Lavine in his short Kings career is averaging 20.3 points per game and should only get better with time. He had been scoring 24 points per game for the Chicago Bulls. Domantas Sabonis has also been a rock in defense as he currently leads the NBA, averaging 14.6 rebounds per game. He also averages 20.3 points, leads the team with 6.3 assists per game, and leads the NBA with the most double-doubles.

On the injury front, the Sacramento Kings have a fully healthy roster at the time of writing. Malik Monk will play as a point guard and  Zach Lavine as the shooting guard. DeMar DeRozan and Keegan Murray play as the forwards and Domantas Sabonis will play as the center in the starting five for this fixture.

Utah Jazz vs Sacramento Kings Starting Lineups