The Utah Jazz, going on an 8 game losing streak, came into the Monday night match-up against the Sacramento Kings just trying to find some way to win. After the first quarter, the Jazz looked like a team that was going to get out of their funk leading the Kings 31-23, led by Gordon Hayward with 12 points. The next three quarters belonged to the Kings. The Jazz lost to the Kings 101-92 and have now lost 9 straight games. After scoring 12 points in the first quarter, Hayward would only score 7 points the rest of the game with 19 points on 6 of 16 shooting from the field. Alec Burks added 16 points on 5 of 11 shooting. Trey Burke and Enes Kanter scored 13 points apiece. Derrick Favors had a quiet night scoring only 9 points on 3 of 6 shooting and pulling down 5 rebounds, all in 26 minutes on the floor. The bright spot off the bench was Rudy Gobert who scored 12 points and pulled down 9 rebounds in 21 minutes, but the scoring wasn’t what was impressive. His presence in the paint helped the Jazz, and it wasn’t particularly blocked shots but just making things difficult for the Kings.
Rudy Gay led the Kings with 29 points, 6 rebounds on 10 of 19 shooting and 9 of 10 from the free throw line. Darren Collison had 16 points, while Nik Stauskas – rookie and former Michigan teammate of Trey Burke – had a great game with 15 points and 8 rebounds. All of this was without superstar DeMarcus Cousins. The Kings move to 11-10 on the season and will hit the road to face the Lakers on Tuesday night.
The Jazz fall to 5-16 on the season and have lost their last 9 games. Up next for the Jazz will be a return to Energy Solutions Arena on Tuesday night as they face the defending champions: San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs are 15-5 on the season and coming off a 123-101 win over the Timberwolves on Saturday, so the champs are well rested. The Spurs will be without Tony Parker who is out with a hamstring injury. Tipoff is at 7pm.
