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Jazz and Kings square off in Sacramento

Apr 3, 2011 - 2:55 PM (Sports Network) - The slumping Utah Jazz will continue playing out the string Sunday when they visit a Sacramento Kings club that is likely winding up its stay in California's capital.

Despite starting the season with a solid 15-5 record, the Jazz were officially eliminated from postseason contention Friday after a 96-85 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, their seventh straight overall.

C.J. Miles posted 24 points in that one for the Jazz, while Al Jefferson added 17 points and 10 rebounds in defeat. Utah's seven-game skid is its longest since a nine-game hiccup from March 4-19, 2005.

"They locked in and took us out of our stuff a little bit," Miles said of the turnaround in the second half.

Utah's season really hit the skids when Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan abruptly retired on Feb. 10 after feuding with star point guard Deron Williams. Less than two weeks later, the Jazz dealt Williams to New Jersey for Devin Harris and rookie Derrick Favors. The team is just 5-17 since Tyrone Corbin replaced Sloan.

The Kings, who are almost assuredly set to relocate to Anaheim after the season, lost their second consecutive game on Friday when Raymond Felton scored 17 points and Denver moved to the brink of clinching a playoff spot with a 99-90 win in Sacramento.

Francisco Garcia led seven Sacramento players in double figures with 17 points, but the Kings lost the home-and-home series, also falling by 14 points in Denver on Wednesday.

"It was a tough night all around. They knocked down shots, we missed a lot of free throws and transition defense," Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins said.

The Anaheim City Council voted unanimously earlier this week on a $75 million financial package to help lure Sacramento down to Orange County.

Utah has won eight of its past 10 meetings with Sacramento and will be aiming to sweep the Kings for the second time in three seasons tonight.