The Kings will go on the road in search of their first preseason victory when they visit the Utah Jazz on Tuesday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
The Kings (0-3) suffered a disappointing 105-85 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday after losing two games to the Golden State Warriors last week. There were some encouraging signs in the two games against the Warriors, but the Kings fell flat against a young and rebuilding Blazers squad that was shorthanded with several key players out due to injuries.
The Jazz (3-1) is coming off a 126-120 loss to the San Antonio Spurs after posting wins over New Zealand, the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks. Utah is not expected to contend for a playoff spot after going 31-51 to finish 12 th in the Western Conference last season.
Here are three things to look for in Tuesday’s game.
Fourth-quarter minutes
Kings coach Mike Brown pulled his starters at halftime in the preseason opener against the Warriors on Wednesday and sat them in the fourth quarter of Friday’s rematch with their Northern California rivals.
Brown wanted his starting lineup of De’Aaron Fox, Keon Ellis, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis to go deep into the fourth quarter in Sunday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, but the game was already out of reach.
Brown said he hopes Tuesday’s game against the Jazz and Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers are competitive enough to let his starters close out the fourth quarter. Brown said he would be reluctant to leave them in the game if the score is lopsided, but he wants to see them practice late-game execution while building endurance for the regular season.
The Kings are missing Kevin Huerter (shoulder), Trey Lyles (groin), Orlando Robinson (knee) and Devin Carter (shoulder). Huerter was cleared for full-contact court activities Friday and will progress through return-to-play protocol after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.
The Kings will be even more shorthanded against the Jazz after trading Jalen McDaniels to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.
Sacramento’s shooting
The Kings are last in the league in 3-point shooting after hitting just 24.8% in their first three preseason games.
DeRozan is shooting 40% on 1.7 attempts per game and Fox is shooting 38.5% on 4.3 attempts, but Malik Monk is shooting 14.3% and Murray is shooting just 12.5%.
“We haven’t shot the ball well from the 3-point line, but I truly believe we’re going to be a better 3-point shooting team than that,” Brown said.
Scouting Utah
All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen is averaging 18.7 points in the preseason, shooting 45.9% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range.
Collin Sexton is averaging 13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Keyonte George (13.0 ppg), Johnny Juzang (12.7 ppg), Jordan Clarkson (12.7 ppg), John Collins (11.3 ppg) and Brice Sensabaugh (11.3 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.
Kings at Jazz
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Delta Center
TV: None
How to watch: Kings.com
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: TBD
Over/under: TBD
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder), Kevin Huerter (shoulder), Trey Lyles (groin), Orlando Robinson (knee).
Jazz: Not available.
Oct. 15 at Utah Jazz
Oct. 17 at Los Angeles Clippers
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