Jazz vs. Kings Preview: Markkanen Faces Kings’ Trio, Jazz Aims to End Losing Streak at Home

On the morning of October 30, the NBA regular season continues with the Utah Jazz hosting the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings had a tough start to the season, losing consecutive games to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers, resulting in a two-game losing streak. Fortunately, they ended the streak with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers and currently stand at 1-2, placing them 12th in the Western Conference. Last season, the Kings finished the regular season with a 46-36 record, securing the ninth seed in the West and advancing to the play-in tournament. They defeated the Golden State Warriors in the first round but were ultimately eliminated by the New Orleans Pelicans. During the offseason, the Kings acquired DeMar DeRozan through a three-team trade, significantly boosting their offensive capabilities. The team now boasts a trio of DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, and De’Aaron Fox, ensuring a strong offensive lineup.

In the first three games of the season, the Kings have averaged 117.7 points per game, ranking them among the top teams in the league. However, they also allow an average of 115.3 points per game, indicating room for improvement on defense. The Kings excel in transition offense, averaging 19.3 points from fast breaks, but they are less active in rebounding, averaging only 36.7 rebounds per game. This results in a low 11.7 points from second-chance opportunities, highlighting areas that need attention.

In their last game, the Kings defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 at home. DeRozan and Fox both had impressive performances, with DeRozan scoring 23 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists, and recording 3 steals. Fox led the team with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Sabonis delivered a well-rounded performance with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists on 62.5% shooting. Although Keegan Murray struggled, the starting lineup overall performed well. Malik Monk also contributed 12 points and 4 rebounds off the bench.

The Jazz, on the other hand, have had a disastrous start to the season, suffering three consecutive losses to the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks, placing them at the bottom of the Western Conference. Apart from a close loss to the Grizzlies, the Jazz struggled against stronger opponents. They average 104 points per game with an efficiency rating of 101, indicating a lack of offensive strength. Their defense is equally concerning, allowing an average of 121 points per game, the highest in the league. However, the Jazz excel at drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line, averaging 33.5 free throws per game with a free-throw rate of 24.7%.

In their most recent game, the Jazz lost 102-110 to the Mavericks on the road. Among the starters, only Tyus Jones and Collin Sexton performed well, while the other three players, including Lauri Markkanen, struggled. Markkanen shot just 26.7% from the field, scoring 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists, falling short of expectations. Justin Hendricks went 0-for-5, while Sexton led the team with 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists on over 80% shooting, but his efforts were in vain. Jarred Vanderbilt contributed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. If Markkanen had performed better, the outcome might have been different.

In their last five meetings, the Kings have dominated the Jazz with a 4-1 record. For tomorrow’s game, the Kings will be without Davion Mitchell and Terence Davis, while the Jazz have doubts over Eubanks, Zions, and Collier, and Justin Hendricks is ruled out. To end their losing streak at home, the Jazz need a strong performance from Markkanen, but it will be a challenging task.

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