At home, the Jazz had the possibility of winning their first match of the season, but the Kings with a good trio DeRozan – Fox – Sabonis confirmed their takeoff with a second victory in two evenings, and a return to balance ( 2v-2d). Certainly, against the two worst teams in the conference, the Blazers and therefore the Jazz.
The two teams went blow for blow in this first quarter and Lauri Markkanen responded to the activity under the circle of Domantas Sabonis twice behind the line. DeMar DeRozan quickly highlights himself with an elegant drive on Cody Williams and Sabonis confirms the Kings' good automatisms by finding De'Aaron Fox who easily cuts the Jazz lines. Sacramento widened the gap in the fifth minute through their pivot and a skillful Keegan Murray 3-pointer at the head of the racket. Faced with an already overwhelmed Jazz defense, the Kings' transition game allowed them to finish this first quarter at +12 (34-22).
The second quarter is a little more contested, Utah valiantly tries to come back and it is John Collins who shines in the racket. Through his toughness, the former Hawk won his duel under the circle, against three Kings and offered a short-lived fight. Malik Monk loses concentration during a counter-attack and Collins, well found by sophomore Brice Sensabaugh, transforms the Kings' error with a dunk.
At -7, shooters Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray are responsible for increasing the gap by stringing together two shots from distance. Rookie Kyle Filipowski is combative and converts a mid-range shot, but Fox leaves the Jazz no chance by scoring a long shot on a too passive Walker Kessler. Mike Brown's men are +9 at half-time.
One-sided second period
Already deprived of Taylor Hendricks, on the sidelines for the season after his terrible injury, the Jazz are deprived of Lauri Markkanen at the start because of back pain. As a result, the second period is one-way. Domantas Sabonis is too inspired to pass and Utah has no margin for error. The Lithuanian pivot easily finds DeMar DeRozan who easily converts his teammate's efforts with numerous little-contested penetrations.
The few efforts of Keyonte George or Walker Kessler did not prevent the Kings from leading by +20 heading into the 4th quarter. DeRozan makes fun of Clarkson twice in the 4th quarter with notably an “and-one” and at +25 for the Kings, the two teams rotate their squads and Sacramento imposes itself 113-96.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Second victory for the Kings. Given Jazz's form at the moment, it was clearly not the toughest opponent for it to be really revealing… The fact remains that the Kings seem to have finally found their rhythm and their automatisms with Sabonis as the first option. Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter (14 points each) complemented the “All-Star” trio.
– Domantas Sabonis hyperactive. 28 points, 11 rebounds (including 8 offensive) and 4 assists. Whether in the circle or at mid-distance, the Californian pivot opened the way very early in the match for the Kings' play.
– De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan easy. 19 points at 8/15 for one, and 20 points at 13/18 for the other. DeMar DeRozan continues his momentum with his fourth game with at least 20 points scored.
– One more injured… The Jazz have not yet unlocked their counter and the task risks becoming complicated since Lauri Markkanen left at half-time with back pain.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
