Kings vs Jazz Prediction NBA Picks Free 03/25

© Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Jazz vs Kings - NBA Game Preview - March 25, 2023

The Utah Jazz are set to face off against the Sacramento Kings in a Western Conference matchup on Saturday. With both teams vying for a playoff spot, this game promises to be an exciting one. The Kings currently sit in third place in the Western Conference, while the Jazz are in 12th place. Basketball experts, NBA picks computers, and NBA picks and parlays predict that the Kings are the favorites to win. However, the Jazz have been known to defy odds and come out on top, making this a game that is definitely worth watching. Let's take a closer look at both teams and make some predictions.

Jazz: Offensive Analysis

The Utah Jazz face off against the Sacramento Kings in a Western Conference matchup, and our NBA picks experts predict a tough offensive battle. The Jazz currently rank sixth in the league in scoring, averaging 117.3 points per game, while the Kings boast the top offense in the league with an average of 121.1 points per game. While Utah's offense is strong, their defense has been a struggle this season, ranking 24th in the league in oppponent points per game. The Kings' high-powered offense will test the Jazz's defensive abilities, making it a challenge for Utah to keep up with Sacramento on the scoreboard. Utah's key offensive players include Jordan Clarkson, who leads the team with an average of 16.5 points per game, and Walker Kessler, who is averaging 8.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Simone Fontecchio has been hot from beyond the arc, averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games. Sacramento's offense is led by top performers Domantas Sabonis, who averages 19.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, and De'Aaron Fox, who is averaging 21.2 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 52.3% over the last 10 games. The Kings have also been dominant in the paint, averaging 52.1 points per game to Utah's 51.6. Overall, our NBA picks and computer predictions suggest a high-scoring game between the Jazz and the Kings, with Sacramento holding the edge offensively. Utah will need to step up their defense in order to keep pace with the Kings and secure a win.

Jazz: Defensive Analysis

The Utah Jazz will need to rely on their defense if they aim to come out on top against the Sacramento Kings in their upcoming Western Conference matchup. The Jazz currently rank 12th in the Western Conference, with a record of 35-38. Despite their current record, the Jazz have a solid defense that ranks 24th in the league in opponent points per game, allowing just 117.8 points per game. They also have a strong rebounding game, ranking fifth in the league in total rebounds per game with 54.1. However, the Jazz do struggle with defending the perimeter, ranking 19th in the league in opponent three-point percentage at 36.5%. This could prove to be an issue against a Kings team that ranks eighth in the league in three-point percentage at 37.4%. The Jazz will also have to contend with Sacramento's impressive offense, which currently ranks first in the league in points per game with an average of 121.1. Led by Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox, the Kings have a balanced offensive attack and rank third in the league in assists per game with 27.2. Despite their defensive weaknesses, the Jazz have been strong on the defensive glass, ranking ninth in the league in defensive rebounds per game with 33.6. They will need to continue this trend in order to limit Sacramento's offensive opportunities. Injuries could play a factor for the Jazz as well, with Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Rudy Gay, and Jordan Clarkson all currently listed as out. This could put additional pressure on the remaining players to step up defensively. Overall, while the Jazz may struggle to defend against the Kings' perimeter game, their strong rebounding and overall defense could help them secure a win in their upcoming Western Conference matchup. However, they will need to bring their A-game defensively and limit the Kings' offensive opportunities in order to do so.

Kings: Offense Analysis

The Sacramento Kings are a strong offensive team, leading the league in points per game with an average of 121.1. They also have the second-highest effective field goal percentage at 57.6% and are first in two-point shooting percentage at 58.8%. The team's leading scorer is De'Aaron Fox, who averages 21.2 points per game and shoots 52.3% over the last 10 games. Domantas Sabonis is another key player, averaging 19.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. The Kings are also third in the Western Conference in assists per game with 27.2, led by Sabonis. Sacramento has a balanced scoring attack, with several players capable of stepping up and delivering big performances. However, they do struggle with offensive rebounds, ranking 25th in the league in that category with just 9.1 per game. Overall, the Kings' potent offense could give them an edge in their upcoming matchup against the Utah Jazz. NBA picks experts and computer NBA picks could favor the Kings' offense in their predictions and NBA picks and parlays.

Kings: Defensive Analysis

The Sacramento Kings have been on a roll lately and their defense has played a crucial role in their success. In their last 10 games, the Kings have averaged giving up only 118.6 points per game, which is a significant improvement from their overall season average of 121.1 points per game. The Kings have been excellent at defending the three-point line, holding opponents to just 37.3% shooting from beyond the arc. This is an important stat because the Utah Jazz rank 17th in the league in three-point shooting at 35.8%. If the Kings can continue defending the perimeter well, they will force the Jazz to rely on their other scoring options. Sacramento is also doing a good job of rebounding. They are averaging 49.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 24th in the NBA. However, they have limited their opponents to just 49.6 rebounds per game, which is the 7th best mark in the league. This will be important against a Jazz team that ranks 5th in the NBA in total rebounds per game with 54.1. One area the Kings need to improve on is their ability to force turnovers. They are only averaging 6.8 steals per game, which ranks 22nd in the NBA. If they can create more turnovers, they will be able to generate more transition opportunities and make it harder for the Jazz to get into their half-court offense. Overall, the Kings are playing solid defense and if they can continue to defend the perimeter well, limit the Jazz's rebounding, and create more turnovers, they should have a good chance at winning this game.

Injury Report

The Sacramento Kings have no players listed on the injury report for this game, giving them a full and healthy roster to work with. However, the Utah Jazz will be without several key players. Collin Sexton will be out due to a hamstring injury, Lauri Markkanen is out with a hand injury, Rudy Gay is out with a back injury, and Jordan Clarkson is out with a finger injury. The absence of these players will pose a challenge for the Jazz, as they will have to adapt to a different rotation and style of play. It is worth noting that injuries have been a significant factor for the Jazz this season, and their absence has had an impact on the team's overall performance. However, despite these setbacks, the Jazz have managed to stay competitive and remain in the playoff race. The Kings, on the other hand, have been fortunate in terms of injuries and have been able to rely on a consistent lineup throughout the season. This could give them an advantage in this game, as they will have the advantage of continuity and familiarity with their game plan. Overall, injuries will be a factor to watch in this matchup, as the Jazz will have to work around the absence of several key players, while the Kings will be able to rely on their full lineup. However, both teams will be looking to bring their best effort and secure a win in this crucial conference matchup.

Betting Trends Analysis:

The Sacramento Kings are heavily favored to win this game by 9.5 points, according to the latest odds. They have also been performing exceptionally well in their previous 10 games, with a record of 7-3, averaging 121.1 points per game. This makes them one of the strongest contenders to pick in this game. On the other hand, the Utah Jazz have struggled in their previous 10 games, with a record of 4-6, averaging 118.0 points per game. They also have some key players out due to injuries, including Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and Jordan Clarkson. When it comes to expert picks and predictions, the majority seem to be siding with the Kings to win this game, with several predicting a double-digit victory for the home team. The computer models also heavily favor the Kings to cover the 9.5 point spread. Overall, the betting trends heavily favor the Sacramento Kings in this game, with their strong recent form and home-court advantage giving them a significant edge over the Utah Jazz. NBA picks and parlays experts suggest betting on the Kings to cover the spread and win the game comfortably.

Prediction: Kings will win by 7 points

The Kings are the better team heading into this matchup and are playing at home. They have a superior record against Western Conference opponents, ranking third in the conference with an impressive 27.2 assists per game. The Jazz, on the other hand, are only 22-23 in Western Conference play and are missing key players like Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Rudy Gay, and Jordan Clarkson. Although the Jazz won the last matchup between these two teams, the Kings have been on a hot streak lately, winning seven of their last ten games and averaging 121.1 points per game. Meanwhile, the Jazz have struggled, winning just four of their last ten and allowing opponents to score an average of 124.1 points per game. Overall, the Kings' offense is simply too potent for the struggling Jazz to handle, and Sacramento's superior home court advantage should give them the edge in this matchup. 

Pick: Kings (-9.5)