There is no rest for the weary. After a wild win against the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center, the Kings are back at again on Wednesday when they face the Utah Jazz on the second night of a home-and-road back-to-back.
DeMarcus Cousins carried the Kings over the Blazers with an incredible offensive performance, but it came with a whole lot of drama. The All-Star center was ejected in the final minute of the game for losing his mouthpiece near the Blazers bench. After leaving the court and heading to the Kings' locker room, Cousins was summonsed back after having his technical foul rescinded by the officiating crew. The crowd went crazy as Cousins reappeared from the tunnel and helped lead his team to victory.
Utah is finally living up to their potential, but they are coming off an embarrassing 30-point loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. It's rare that you see two teams face off that are both playing the second night of a back-to-back.
OPENING LINE:
Jazz by 7.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH:
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Rudy Gobert -- The battle of the bigs, part II. Gobert claimed to be the best big in the game earlier in the week. Cousins is fresh off a 55-point, 13-rebound performance and currently ranks third in the league in scoring at 29.3 points per game. Gobert is a defensive stopper that gave Cousins fits last time these two teams met. Cousins and the Kings are coming off an emotional win over the Blazers on Tuesday night, but this is a big game for a team trying to make a move up in the standings.
WHERE THEY STAND:
Kings: 11-17, third place in Pacific
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Jazz: 18-11, first place in Northwest
INJURY REPORT:
Kings: F Rudy Gay (hip flexor strain) listed as questionable, but the veteran forward told CSN California that he is hopes to play in Utah after missing previous four games. F Omri Casspi (illness) questionable, but unlikely to play.
Jazz: PG George Hill (toe) out, SG Alec Burks (ankle) out, SG Rodney Hood (illness) out, PG Dante Exum (knee) out.
SERIES HISTORY:
Utah leads the season series over the Kings 1-0 after a win at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in early December. The Jazz lead the all-time series 100-81 and holds a 77-48 advantage during the Sacramento-era.
QUOTE:
"I don't think I've ever seen someone ejected in a game and then brought back into a game. First time." -Portland's C.J. McCollum on the bizarre turn of events surrounding Cousins on Tuesday night
