Kings 93 - 96 Jazz
Final
  for this game

Jimmer returns to SLC when Kings visit Jazz

Jan 28, 2012 - 3:54 PM (Sports Network) - Jimmer Fredette will return to Utah Saturday as the Sacramento Kings attempt to put the brakes on a three-game skid when they open up a brief two-game road trip against the Jazz.

The Kings were blown out in their last encounter, a 122-93 setback at the hands of Denver in California's capital.

Sacramento was led by Fredette's 19 points in that one while DeMarcus Cousins finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds and Isaiah Thomas chipped in 16 points.

"Kind of an embarrassing moment for our fans to watch us play that way," said Kings coach Keith Smart.

Fredette, the former BYU star, averaged just 6.9 points in his first 16 NBA games but has picked it up recently, netting 17.3 over his last three contests. The 10th overall pick in last June's draft, Fredette will be returning to Utah for the first time since leave BYU as the school's all-time leading scorer.

"It'll be fun to play in front of the hometown fans again that I played in front of for my college career," Fredette told the Kings' website. "I'm looking forward to it. It should be a fun atmosphere. The most important thing is that we can go out and hopefully steal one on the road."

Sacramento could also get a boost with the possible return of big man Chuck Hayes, who has missed the last 11 games with a dislocated left shoulder. The team's leading scorer, Marcus Thornton, will remain sidelined with a bruised left quadriceps, however.

The Jazz have taken a step back recently dropping two straight and three of four after Friday's 116-101 setback in Dallas against a Dirk Nowitzki-less Mavs team.

Paul Millsap scored 20 points for the Jazz in that one while Al Jefferson, returning after sitting out a game with a balky right ankle, added 19.

"They shot the ball well from the three point line, better than they've been shooting in the past especially with Dirk out," Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said. "Guys made shots tonight. But I thought we played hard. You've got to give them credit, they made the shots when they needed to and we didn't."

Sacramento has dropped three straight and seven of eight overall to the Jazz in Salt Lake City.






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