The Sacramento Kings are up in the season series, two-zip, and won tightly both times (126-125 and 117-115). Can they maintain their reign in the clutch?

Catch the game tomorrow at 9:00 AM, Manila time.

HOME: Utah Jazz (34-36, 21-13 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Ochai Agbaji
  • Jordan Clarkson (day-to-day) / Talen Horton-Tucker
  • Lauri Markkanen
  • Kelly Olynyk
  • Walker Kessler

The Jazz head to tomorrow’s contest as winners in three of their last four games (120.8 PPG in that span). The most recent W was that exciting 118-117 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday, where they rallied back from a 19-point deficit. It’s a good boost as they fight for a playoff spot.

Number two scorer Jordan Clarkson (20.8 PPG) has been practicing but is still considered day-to-day due to his hand injury. Fortunately, Talen Horton-Tucker is filling the spot nicely, especially this past two weeks as he has put up 21.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in his last five outings. 

Lauri Markkanen, meanwhile, as it has been all season, will be the man to watch out over at Utah’s side. He’s averaging 27 PPG in the season series. Lastly, there’s rookie Walker Kessler, who will be in an interesting clash with the Kings’ Domantas Sabonis. The first-year pro is parading numbers of 11.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game since the All-Star break.

The Jazz are 5-0 in their last five games ATS.

AWAY: Sacramento Kings (42-23, 22-13 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • De’Aaron Fox
  • Kevin Huerter (day-to-day) / Kessler Edwards
  • Harrison Barnes
  • Keegan Murray
  • Domantas Sabonis

On top of being up in this season’s head-to-head, 2-0, the Kings will also enter with four-consecutive victories and a seven-game winning streak on the road. Moreover, they are still pacing the league in scoring (121.1 PPG) and offensive rating. The squad is simply busting through defenses.

The team’s leaders and pair of All-Stars, De’Aaron Fox (30.5 PPG in the season series) and Domantas Sabonis (22.8 PPG, 16 RPG, 10 APG in his last 4), are simply the one-two punch that’s quite the watch. Fox, with his scoring, playmaking, and league-leading clutch scoring production is a headache, while Sabonis’s presence in the interior and quality facilitating gives tough looks to the opposition.

That third scorer is a wildcard now, especially with Kevin Huerter out. It can be anyone between Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk, who are all capable of exploding for 20-plus points anytime.

Sacramento is 6-1 in its last seven games ATS.

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Kings (-6.5) fail to cover the spread

.Over/Under: The total hits the over (236.5).