Prediction

Since trading away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, the Jazz have entered a rebuilding phase over the past two seasons. However, the team has continued to hover around the play-in spots in the Western Conference without securing a high draft pick. This season, the core roster has seen minimal changes, with Lauri Markkanen signing a high-paying extension, and young players like Walker Kessler stepping up. In their last game, the Jazz shocked the Mavericks with a 2-point win, with six players scoring in double figures, and John Collins leading the way with 28 points and 9 rebounds.

The Kings, under Mike Brown’s leadership in the past two seasons, have seen their competitiveness rise. The team has maintained a high level of offensive play, but their defense remains a weakness. Last season, they were eliminated in the play-in tournament. This season, the Kings made some roster changes, with Harrison Barnes and other key players leaving, and veteran DeMar DeRozan joining the squad. Domantas Sabonis continues to perform at an All-Star level.

Overall, there’s still a significant gap in strength between the two teams. The Jazz have struggled early, particularly on defense, and the Kings are favored to defend their home court.

Picks

Kings Spread -8.5