The late game in the NBA on Easter Sunday will feature the struggling Utah Jazz as they take on the Sacramento Kings (9:10 PM ET). The Jazz have been eliminated from playoff contention as they can no longer make the play-in tournament. Things are very different for Sacramento. They can finish anywhere from 11th to 4th in the Western Conference. At this point, they would be the No. 8 seed and that would place them in the play-in tournament. They will be motivated to try and improve on that fate and for the game at hand, the Kings are favored at -12.0 (bet365). My Jazz vs Kings prediction is that Utah will win, at least with the help of their +12.0 handicap.
NBA Matchup: Jazz vs Kings
Away: Utah Jazz
Home: Sacramento Kings
Game time: Sunday, March 31st, 2024 @ 9:10 PM ET
Jazz vs Kings odds (home team's spread): -12.0 (bet365)
Utah vs Sacramento Prediction: Recent NBA News
The Utah Jazz are 29-45 on the season overall. They last played on March 29th, a game that they lost by one to the Houston Rockets. This was Utah's eighth loss in a row, a losing streak that has eliminated them from contention. In the broader context, Utah has only won three games since the All-Star break. It was not long ago that they were in the thick of things but the team has really faltered late in the season.
Utah Jazz injuries: recent news
Laurri Markkanen might be done for the season. Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reported that he will be re-evaluated in two weeks with his shoulder injury. A re-evaluation does not mean it will be his return date and any kind of delay will mean that he won't appear in another game until the fall. This injury is certainly one factor as to why the Jazz are such large underdogs in this game. However, John Collins is also questionable and Jordan Clarkson is questionable.
Double-check for playing status updates with Utah (12:37 ET time of writing): Team's Depth Chart
Sacramento Kings: Recent Form Alert
Formerly: 33 - 23 heading into March 8th, 2024
Currently: 42 - 31 (overall)
Recent form: 9 - 8 since March 8th, 2024
Recent winning rate: .529
The Sacramento Kings have been a mediocre team for the last few weeks. They last played on Friday, a game that they lost to the Dallas Mavericks 107-103. It was the second straight loss for the team to the Mavs, a team they also played on Tuesday.
Sacramento Kings injuries: recent news
The Kings have a decent depth chart at the front end of their roster with nothing noted among their starters. However, Trey Lyles will remain out, as he has for the last few weeks. Also, Malik Monk, an important player off of Sacramento's bench, has been diagnosed with a sprained right MCL. He is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Unless the Kings do some damage in the postseason, the injury ends his season.
Double-check status updates Sacramento (12:37 ET time of writing):: Team's Depth Chart
Jazz vs Kings Prediction: Betting Tips
In addition to an eight-game losing streak, the Jazz bring just a 9-27 road record into this game. Furthermore, they will be up against a Sacramento team that is 21-15 when hosting.
But Sacramento losing Monk is significant. He was not a starter but did average 26 minutes per game this season. He added a little bit of scoring punch to the team and some playmaking ability with 15.4 points per game and 5.1 assists per game. He remains the team's third-leading scorer for average points per game, behind Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox. However, his minutes will be distributed among guards that are generally not as effective.
I think the loss of Monk might be more of a shock to Sacramento's system than some realize. Also, the Kings have been anything but rock solid lately. My recommendation for this game is to take the big handicap on the Jazz at +12.0 (bet365).
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