If you had to ask any NBA fan which team would be the worst in the Western Conference this season, most would answer with the Utah Jazz. After having the NBA’s worst record in the 2024-25 season, Utah’s rebuild continues this year. But it was the Jazz who threw down the biggest beatdown in the league Wednesday night, while the Sacramento Kings lost their opener to the flailing Phoenix Suns. Now the two will battle on Friday night.
The Kings are 5.5-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. They’re priced at -218 on the moneyline, while the Jazz are +180 road underdogs. The total for this game is set at 234.5 points. Let’s get into my preview, prediction and pick for this Jazz vs. Kings game.
Jazz vs. Kings prediction, preview
There were a lot of impressive performances by the Jazz on Wednesday in their dismantling of the Clippers. Lauri Markkanen started a comeback season with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists. Keyonte George racked up 16 points and nine assists as a starter. Brice Sensabaugh built on a great Summer League with 20 points in 23 minutes off the bench. But it was Walker Kessler who impressed more than anyone.
The 24-year-old led the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks without missing a shot. He also, surprisingly, made both of his three-point attempts. On a team full of young developmental prospects, Kessler looks like a steadying force.
Sacramento at least has the pretense of being competitive this season. It added players like Dennis Schröder and Russell Westbrook with the hopes of getting in the mix in a deep Western Conference. But it didn’t look competitive in its first game, losing to a Suns team that traded Kevin Durant and kicked Bradley Beal to the curb.
Not having Keegan Murray, who was just signed to an extension, is going to hurt the Kings in the short term. He’s their most impactful defender and was sorely missed against Phoenix. That’s not going to get any easier against this Jazz team that has shown a surprising scoring punch. Sacramento may end up tanking against its will. It’s tough out here.
Can the Kings get on the right track? Or will the Jazz continue to surprise?
Jazz vs. Kings pick, best bet
This early season will showcase the importance of Murray and how the Kings need him in the worst way. Not only is the floor spacing vital to the offense, but without him, there’s nobody to organize this defense. All of their core pieces are negative defenders, and Keon Ellis can’t stop everybody.
Utah will have plenty of struggles this year. But I’m not confident in Sacramento being anything more than a 30-win team as presently constructed. I’ll take the Jazz as the road underdogs playing with house money.
