The Utah Jazz are shooting for their first winning streak
of the season, as they host the Sacramento Kings tonight at EnergySolutions
Arena.
Utah avoided a three-game losing streak with a 113-99 victory over the San
Antonio Spurs on Thursday and got 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds
out of Deron Williams. Carlos Boozer added 27 points and 14 rebounds for the
Jazz, who pushed their 2009-10 mark to 2-3.
"For us we've got to finish off games like we did tonight," stated Boozer. "We
came back and got a great effort. We should have won both of those games
(Houston and Dallas). We've got to finish off games. Tonight we came back;
everyone had a good effort, especially at the defensive end."
Mehmet Okur and Ronnie Brewer both scored 10 points, while Andrei Kirilenko
and Wesley Matthews both chipped in 12 for the victors.
Sacramento has struggled to a 1-4 record this season and suffered a 113-105
setback versus the Atlanta Hawks the last time out on Wednesday.
Kevin Martin, coming off a 48-point performance on Monday in a win over the
Memphis Grizzlies, scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Kings.
Jason Thompson had 22 points and 12 boards in defeat.
Rookie Tyreke Evans provided 15 points, while Andres Nocioni and Beno Udrih
both had 14 points for the losers. Martin, meanwhile, will be sidelined for
two months after suffering a a hairline fracture in his left wrist. The star
guard sustained the injury in a collision with Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson
and is scheduled to undergo surgery.
Also, veteran forward Andres Nocioni was arrested Thursday morning on
suspicion of driving under the influence. Nocioni was released after posting
bail. According to a report from the Sacramento Bee, Nocioni was weaving
within his lane and had an odor of alcohol when speaking with a police
officer. The 29-year-old released a statement through the team saying he was
apologetic for his actions.
Nocioni was acquired by Sacramento last season from Chicago in a trade that
sent Brad Miller to the Bulls. In 379 career games with the Bulls and Kings
over six seasons, Nocioni has averaged 11.8 points and 5.0 rebounds.
The Kings hope to snap a three-game road losing streak against the Jazz.
Utah won all four meetings with Sacramento a year ago and has won five of six
and six of the last eight matchups between the teams. Sacramento has lost four
straight trips to Salt Lake City.
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