Kings vs. Jazz gameday: Sacramento sets out on circuitous road trip and 3 things to watch
The Kings left Sacramento late Monday night to embark on a circuitous road trip that will take them to Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Toronto and Miami.
The Kings will begin the four-game trip when they face the Utah Jazz on Tuesday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
Both teams will be on the second night of a back-to-back. The Kings (1-2) beat the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 on Monday at Golden 1 Center to earn their first win of the season. The Jazz (0-3) suffered a 110-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Here are three things to watch.
Long road
The Kings will have played five games in eight days when they conclude this four-game trip. They will have two days off before visiting the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, but then things will get a little weird.
The Kings will leave Atlanta late Friday night and fly north to face the Toronto Raptors on Saturday on the second night of a back-to-back. The Kings will then fly south to play the Miami Heat on Monday.
Free-throw shooting
The Kings finished 21st in free-throw attempts (20.9) and 30th in free-throw percentage (.745) last season. The addition of DeRozan, who ranked fourth with 7.7 free-throw attempts per game last season, has helped the Kings turn a huge weakness into a strength.
The Kings made 23 of 25 free throws in Monday’s win over the Blazers. After three games, they are No. 1 in the NBA in free-throw percentage (.859) and No. 6 in free-throw attempts (28.3).
Scouting Utah
Utah is struggling at both ends of the floor through its first three games. The Jazz is 30th in scoring (104.0 ppg) and field-goal percentage (.383) while ranking 27th in opponent points per game.
Lauri Markkanen leads the team in scoring at 21.7 points per game. He is shooting 47.1% from 3-point range but just 36.2% from the field. Collin Sexton (17.0 ppg), Keyonte George (13.7 ppg), John Collins (13.7 ppg), Jordan Clarkson (13.7 ppg) and Walker Kessler (10.0 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.
Kings at Jazz
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Delta Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -5.5
Over/under: 235.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder), Isaiah Crawford (G League), Mason Jones (G League), Orlando Robinson (knee).
Jazz: QUESTIONABLE — Drew Eubanks (illness), Johnny Juzang (thumb). OUT — Isaiah Collier (hamstring), Taylor Hendricks (fibula), Micah Potter (G League), Jason Preston (G League), Oscar Tshiebwe (G League).
Sacramento Kings schedule
Oct. 29 at Utah Jazz
Nov. 1 at Atlanta Hawks
Nov. 2 at Toronto Raptors
Nov. 4 at Miami Heat
Nov. 6 vs. Toronto Raptors
This story was originally published October 29, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
