Sacramento?

What if I told you the Kings were...19-16!? With another matchup vs. the Utah Jazz on the calendar for tonight, let's take a look at their close matchup just a few days ago. In a tightly contested game between two squads that have surpassed all expectations this year, Kings guard Kevin Huerter had the last word. His game-winning triple ended 2022 on a soaring note for the raucous Sacramento fans 👇

• Huerter has been one of many Kings players who have reached new heights in Sacramento's dynamic offensive system. "Red Velvet" is shooting 39% from deep, benefitting from the ample spacing provided by opposing teams' focus on the Kings' star duo

• De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis have perfected the inside-out game, and look like one of the NBA's premiere pairings

Despite the disappointing finish vs. Sacramento, Utah's season has been an unmitigated success. After an offseason spent trading away their star players, most expected a full-on tank job this year from the Jazz, in the hopes of landing generational prospect Victor Wembenyama. However, Utah has looked much closer to a playoff contender than a bottom feeder at 19-20 👀

Kings vs. Jazz Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: Jazz -2.5

• Moneyline: Jazz -142 (bet $142, win $100), Kings +120 (bet $100, win $120)

• Over/Under: 242.5

Outperforming Expectations

The key to the Jazz's surprising success this year has been the innovative offensive scheme installed by first year head coach Will Hardy. At only 34 years old, Hardy was one of the top coaching prospects in the league following a successful stint in Boston. His impact in Utah has been immediate, turning a team of undervalued pieces and trade throw-ins into the third most efficient offense in the league 😳

• The Jazz finally shipped out franchise stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert last offseason, and were expected to singlemindedly pursue high level draft compensation

• While they did receive a significant amount of first round picks, they also picked up talented players like Lauri Markkanen, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley

• Markkanen in particular has excelled in Utah, playing well enough to merit legitimate All-Star consideration at 24 PPG and 9 RPG ⭐️

While the above poster dunk was not the prettiest moment for Domantas Sabonis, the Kings' big man has transformed the team's outlook in his brief tenure. Sabonis arrived in Sacramento in the much-maligned Tyrese Haliburton trade, in which the Kings traded away their top young prospect for the versatile center. While Haliburton has been excellent in Indiana, it's safe to say that the Kings didn't deserve the flack they received for pulling the trigger on this deal 👇

• Sabonis' post presence and elite passing ability (7 APG) has unlocked the potential of star PG De'Aaron Fox. Fox has always burst with athleticism and potential, but struggled to remain efficient and contribute to winning prior to this year (career high 50% from the field)

• The spacing provided by the defense focusing on Sabonis and the Kings' bevy of three-and-D wings has allowed Fox to cook 🔥

For My Parlay Gurus

We're all hoping for another down-to-the-wire thriller like the last times these squads faced off, and I think we'll get it. I like the Jazz to exact their revenge in a hard-fought win over the Kings, powered by a strong performance from the red-hot Lauri Markannen. I'm also throwing in the Celtics to cover in Oklahoma City, take a look 👇

• Jazz -2.5 vs. Kings: -110

• Celtics -8.5 @ Thunder: -110

$100 on this bet would win you $264 — if we hit, make sure you email justin.schnell@itsovertime.com for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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