After a chippy and ejection filled game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Utah Jazz go on the road for their second night of a back to back against the Sacramento Kings. The Utah Jazz hope that tonight they can find their groove that they had before the All Star Weekend.

The post All Star Utah Jazz haven’t looked like the dominant team they once were before they went into streaking into the All Star Break. They are only 2-2 since the All Star break with their only wins coming against tanking Dallas and a Timberwolves team that was without Jimmy Butler and an ejected Karl-Anthony Towns.

It seems that the jettisons of Rodney Hood and Joe Johnson, the return of Ricky Rubio, the injury of Raul Neto, and addition of Jae Crowder have disrupted the Utah Jazz’s offense. In the Utah Jazz’s four games post All Star break, they have the league’s 28th worst offense. The Jazz have the worst turnover percentage of any team since the break as well with a turnover percentage of 18.7%.

There’s some good news on the horizon. Even though Utah’s offense has been one of the worst in the NBA, their defense is still holding strong. The Utah Jazz’s defense is still rated as the third best defense in the league since the break. If Utah can get its offense back on track they will be back to their dominant ways.

The Sacramento Kings are just the team to help Utah workshop their solutions. Sacramento is 1-4 since the All Star break and is the 4th worst defense in the league. The Sacramento Kings are in full development mode as they play De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, and Bogdan Bogdanovic major minutes. When those three share the court together the Kings have a positive net rating at a +/- of +12.3.

While the KANGZ have been tanking, there’s quite a lot of talent under the surface there. The Utah Jazz can’t sleepwalk through this one.

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Game Info

When: Saturday, March 3, 2018 • 8:00 p.m. MT

Where: Sleep Train Arena • Sacramento, California

TV: ATTSN-RM

Radio: 97.5 FM | 1280 AM The Zone

Injuries

Utah Jazz

Dante Exum - Shoulder (indefinite)

Thabo Sefolosha - Knee (out for season)

Sacramento Kings

Harry Giles - Knee (OUT)

Iman Shumpart - Plantar Fasciitis/Tanking (OUT)

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What to watch for

Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

An end to the turnovers?

The Utah Jazz have a horrendous turnover problem. After the Houston game, in which they committed 22 turnovers, Quin Snyder reviewed with the team every single turnover during the three game break between Monday and Friday. The result? 21 turnovers committed against the Timberwolves. Not exactly an improvement. If there’s a silver lining for the Utah Jazz, there’s no time for Quin Snyder to rub their noses in it with less than 24 hours between their games against Minnesota and Sacramento.

If Utah is as careless on offense as they have been against the Kings, this youthful and athletic Kings team will have a chance in this game.

Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Rising Stars Showcase

The Utah Jazz have two rookies in Donovan Mitchell and Royce O’Neale that have been instrumental to their success. The Kings feature young prospects in Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Aaron Fox, Skal Labissiere, and Willie Cauley-Stein. While the Kings are a wreck right now, they have a bright future. So tonight’s game is a preview of two teams who could be on the top of the Western Conference for years to come if they develop their talent correctly.

Most Likely Jazz Killer: Kosta Koufos

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Honestly, I just wanted right Boom B****es. That’s really it.