BEN ANDERSON
Agbaji, Olynyk Carry Jazz Past Kings
Mar 20, 2023, 9:26 PM | Updated: Mar 21, 2023, 10:36 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz blew a 25 point first half lead, but still held on to beat the Sacramento Kings 128-120.
Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 27 points to lead the Jazz while Kelly Olynyk added 17 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
The Jazz were without All-Star Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, and Collin Sexton against Sacramento.
First Quarter
The Jazz jumped out to a quick 15-6 lead knocking down 3-4 from three to open the game.
The lead climbed to 20, 36-16 as the Jazz’s shorthanded roster held the Kings to just 6-24 over the first 10 minutes of the game.
👀
Kessler 🛑
Agbaji 3⃣#TakeNote https://t.co/EnMIbjXKCi— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 21, 2023
Three Jazz starters scored eight points in the first quarter while the Kings were led by Harrison Barnes and Kessler Edwards with four points each.
At the end of one, the Jazz led the Kings 40-19.
Second Quarter
The Kings trimmed the deficit to 17 midway through the second, but the Jazz responded with a 7-0 run to take a 59-35 lead with 4:45 left in the half.
Sacramento was able to trim the gap to as small as 14, but the Jazz repeatedly responded with a basket to keep the Kings at arm’s length.
THT 💪😤🔨#TakeNote https://t.co/zXxxaBdm7w
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 21, 2023
The Jazz shot a blistering 10-21 from the three-point in the first half while holding the Kings to 8-24.
At the break, the Jazz led the King 68-52.
Third Quarter
The Kings opened the third on a 12-5 run timing the Jazz lead to single digits at 73-64 with 8:34 left in the quarter.
With 3:54 left in the third Malik Monk hit a corner three in transition tying the game at 85.
.@utahjazz Rudy Gay takes the time machine Monday night against Sacramento#TakeNote https://t.co/7M1dGj0Ijm
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 21, 2023
The Jazz rebuilt their lead to as large as seven in the waning minutes of the quarter, but Sacramento finished on a 7-0 run to tie the game.
After three the Jazz and Kings were knotted up at 95.
Fourth Quarter
The Kings took their first lead of the game, 99-98, with 9:15 left in the fourth on a Chimezie Metu floater.
The two teams exchanged baskets through most of the quarter with neither the Jazz nor Kings building a lead larger than through the three-minute mark.
The Jazz finally pulled away, led by Agbaji who finished with 27 points to lead the team.
The Jazz downed the Kings 128-120 in Utah.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
