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Jazz happy to have Williams back in lineup

Feb 6, 2009 - 11:19 AM Utah (28-22) at Sacramento (11-39) 10:00 p.m. EST

SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- Deron Williams appears to be back at full strength and the Utah Jazz are reaping the benefits of the star point guard's return.

Williams tries to lead the Jazz to their third straight win on Friday when they visit the Sacramento Kings.

After sitting out Monday's 105-86 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats with a right quadriceps

contusion, Williams was a game-time decision for Thursday's contest against Dallas Mavericks.

It seemed as if the Jazz made the right decision when they decided to play Williams, who collected 34 points and 12 assists as Utah demolished the Dallas Mavericks, 115-87, at EnergySolutions Arena.

Williams, who missed 13 of the season's first 15 games with a left ankle injury, hit 11-of-20 shots from the field, including 5-of-8 from the arc as the Jazz opened up a 10-point halftime lead by outscoring the Mavericks 37-19 in the third quarter.

Utah should cruise to another easy win against the Kings, who snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 122-118 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday but quickly returned to their losing ways.

Sacramento shot 37 percent (31-of-84) from floor on Monday, suffering a 129-81 blitz by the Phoenix Suns - the most lopsided setback in the NBA this season.