Kings vs. Jazz Gameday: Sacramento Sets Out on Circuitous Road Trip and 3 Things to Watch

Sacramento Kings (29-21) vs. Utah Jazz (28-27)

Gameday: Thursday, February 9

Time: 8:00 PM PST

Location: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT

The Sacramento Kings embark on a challenging six-game road trip, starting with a matchup against the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. The Kings, currently holding the third seed in the Western Conference, will face a tough test against the Jazz, who are just one game behind them in the standings. Here are three things to watch for in this pivotal matchup:

De'Aaron Fox vs. Lauri Markkanen
Two of the most dynamic young stars in the NBA will square off in this matchup. Fox is averaging 24.3 points and 6.1 assists per game, while Markkanen is averaging 24.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Both players are capable of taking over a game, so this matchup promises to be a lot of fun to watch.
The Kings' defense
The Kings have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA this season, allowing just 111.6 points per game. However, they will face a tough challenge in the Jazz, who have one of the most efficient offenses in the league. The Jazz are averaging 117.8 points per game, so the Kings will need to be at their best defensively to slow them down.
The Kings' rebounding
The Kings have struggled on the boards this season, ranking 29th in the NBA in rebounding. The Jazz, on the other hand, are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, ranking fourth in the NBA. The Kings will need to find a way to improve their rebounding if they want to win this game.

The Kings will need to be at their best to win this game. The Jazz are a tough opponent, but the Kings have the talent to win if they play together and execute their game plan.