Game 13 Preview: Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz

Tyreke Evans surveys the floor while Gordon Hayward defends. (Photo: Tobin Halsey)

Gametime: 7:00 pm PT

Where:  Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA.

Broadcast Information: Click here.

For Jazz perspective, visit fellow TrueHoop Network affiliate Salt City Hoops.

Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (3-9)

PG: Aaron Brooks
SG: Tyreke Evans
SF: John Salmons
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins

Utah Jazz Probable Starters (7-6)

PG: Mo Williams
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Marvin Williams
PF: Paul Millsap
C: Al Jefferson

Three questions to ponder

1. Will we see the same players play the same minutes for the Kings?

Keith Smart played a pretty tight 10-man rotation in Utah yesterday.  All five of the Kings’ starters played 30 minutes or more in last night’s loss to the Jazz.  And outside of Marcus Thornton, no Kings’ reserve played more than 20 minutes.  On the tail end of a back-to-back, it will be interesting to see if Smart employs the same group or mixes in a fresh face or two.  Isaiah Thomas sat out his first game of the season due to coach’s decision.  Will he see some time tonight?

2. Which team wins the bench mob battle?

Last night, the Kings had solid contributions from Marcus Thornton and Jimmer Fredette, who combined to score 28 of the Kings’ 37 points off the bench.  However, the Jazz bench played a better, well-rounded game.  They had Jamaal Tinsley dishing out assists (12), Gordon Hayward racking up points (23) and Derrick Favors controlling the boards (14).  Again, it’s the second game in as many nights for both teams, so both coaches are going to need key contributions from their reserves.

3. Will the Kings see a heavy dose of Mo Williams, Jamaal Tinsley or Earl Watson?

The Jazz lost Mo Williams  in the first quarter of yesterday’s game when he sprained his right ankle.  Even if Williams plays tonight, Ty Corbin may limit his minutes.  Earl Watson could see extra time, but he was playing in just his first game back after knee surgery last spring.  That means that the Kings could once again see more Jamaal Tinsley, who played a fantastic game for the Jazz last night.

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