Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings: Keys to the Game

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Mar 5, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. The Utah Jazz defeated the Sacramento Kings 110-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Performer – Rudy Gobert

It’s getting to the point where Rudy Gobert is playing so well that you can pretty much make an argument that he’s the key performer each and every night for this Jazz team. Double-doubles are becoming the norm and games of 15 and 15 are no longer even surprising.

In Rudy’s last three games, he’s put up 35, 26 and 20 points while averaging 16 rebounds per contest. Last time the Jazz faced the Kings, not only was Rudy the hero of the night with his last-second tip-in, but he dominated throughout as he finished with 16 points, 23 rebounds and three blocks.

Given the fact that he’ll be up against a less than daunting frontcourt duo of the still developing Willie Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere, I expect the Stifle Tower to maintain his dominance and come away with a similar performance in this upcoming contest.

Gobert has been on fire of late and has shown more than any other Jazzman just how determined he is to win and push this team to the height of their potential. He’s quickly becoming the team’s most vocal and impactful leader and as such I predict that he’ll be Utah’s key performer once again against the Kings.

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