Kings face Jazz looking for second straight road win (Dec 10, 2016)
SALT LAKE CITY -- Staying above water has become a challenge for the Utah Jazz. Injuries decimated the roster almost to the breaking point this season.
For Utah, the latest attack from the injury bug meant that only one regular starter, Rudy Gobert, was not sidelined during the team's 106-99 loss to Golden State on Thursday night. Both Gordon Hayward (finger) and Rodney Hood (hamstring) sat out against the Warriors after suffering injuries against Phoenix on Tuesday.
George Hill (toe) and Derrick Favors (knee) have already missed several games in a row with serious injuries and Alec Burks (ankle) has yet to play a minute this season. This slew of injuries has messed with the Jazz rotation from game to game and for some reserves to take on much bigger roles than originally anticipated.
Jazz coach Quin Snyder acknowledged that fighting against frustration isn't easy but the team is trying to make the best of the situation.
"We'd like to try to be consistent," Snyder told reporters before Thursday's game. "We're trying to keep the defense solid. It's harder to do that when guys are playing extended minutes. Hopefully, there's a silver lining. We got some guys that are getting minutes that may not be getting minutes otherwise."
Utah (14-10) is getting increased offensive production from key players that could prove valuable if the starting lineup and playing rotations return to normal soon. Gobert is making the biggest impact. The center has averaged 13.8 points and 13.2 rebounds in December so far. He has finished with double-doubles in three straight games.
Colbert totaled a career-high 22 points against the Suns earlier in the week. Then, against the Warriors, he became just the fifth player over the last 20 seasons to record at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and shoot 100 percent from the field in a single game. Colbert finished the game with 20 points on 8 of 8 shooting and collected 17 rebounds.
With Hayward expected to return to action on Saturday, the Kings could have their hands full containing the duo. Sacramento (8-13) has lost five of its last seven games -- the latest being a 103-100 defeat to New York on Friday night. The Knicks also beat the Kings 106-98 on Sunday.
Sacramento ultimately could not overcome struggles to keep up with New York on the glass. The Knicks finished with a 40-33 edge overall in rebounds, including a 12-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
"We're giving up a lot of second opportunities," center DeMarcus Cousins said. "Not just giving up baskets, but just giving them chances to score. We've got to correct those things or we're going to keep losing close games."
If Sacramento can pull off its second consecutive road victory, it will likely fall on the shoulders of Cousins to get it done. He has a recent history of success against the Jazz. In three games against Utah last season, the Kings' center averaged 30.0 points and 13.0 rebounds.
