Jazz at Kings
THE STORY: The last time the Utah Jazz visited Sacramento back on Feb. 28, they dropped their fourth consecutive game and fell a season-worst three games below .500. The Jazz return to Sacramento on Thursday just a half-game out of the eighth playoff spot in the West. They seek their fifth consecutive victory while the Kings will try to win their fourth straight home game as they close out a record nine-game homestand. The Kings used 22 assists in a 119-110 victory over Memphis on Tuesday.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports SW (Jazz), CS California (Kings)
ABOUT THE JAZZ (24-22): Not only are the Jazz on the cusp of the playoffs, they are 2 1/2 games from home-court advantage after a 97-90 victory over Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City on Tuesday “(Our) team has shown it can score,” coach Tyrone Corbin said. “We have to stop people. … You have to make timely stops in key situations and we’ve done that of late.” Forward Josh Howard plans to undergo an arthroscopic-type procedure surgery Thursday and could return for the playoffs.
ABOUT THE KINGS (17-29): Tyreke Evans, who came off the bench against Memphis, averages 22.6 points against Utah, his highest against any team. “It's just good to get wins,” said Evans, adding he will continue to come off the bench. “It's good to see everybody happy. It doesn't matter who's playing good or who's playing what, as long as we're winning.” Terrence Williams signed a 10-day contract with the team. Williams was released by Houston last week after averaging 4.5 points in 12 games this season.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. In wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City, the Jazz limited Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant to a combined 9-for-42 shooting.
2. Led by Marcus Thornton’s 30.3 points per game, Sacramento is averaging 118 points during its three-game winning streak.
3. The Kings have at least 20 assists in seven of their last nine games, and four in a row.