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Jazz look to keep rolling vs. Kings

Feb 28, 2009 - 11:12 AM Sacramento (13-47) at Utah (35-23) 9:00 p.m. EST

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Everything finally seems to be coming together for the Utah Jazz. Their full lineup has been on the floor together for the first time this week, they're riding a season-high six-game winning streak and they get to close February at the friendly confines of EnergySolutions Arena, where they've won eight straight.

Perhaps better yet, they get the chance to extend their winning streak against the league's worst team, the Sacramento Kings. Utah plays host to Sacramento on Saturday night as it continues its slow climb up the Western Conference food chain.

Currently seated at No. 7 in the West, the Jazz are a half-game behind sixth-place New Orleans (35-22) and 3 1/2 behind No. 3 Denver - which is trying to hold off Portland and Utah as it tries to end the Jazz's two-year run as Northwest Division champion.

The Jazz were buoyed this week by the long-awaited and long-delayed return of two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer, who missed 44 games with nagging quad and knee injuries that eventually necessitated surgery. Andrei Kirilenko was also out following his own knee operation, and his defensive presence has helped carry Utah to a 5-0 record since his return.

The Kings have had a season-long struggle, but came away with a win on Friday night, as Kevin Martin scored 20 points to lead them to a 98-86 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers.

For the Jazz, this will not be a typical gameday. There will be a funeral for late team owner Larry H. Miller, who died last week of complications from type 2 diabetes, at noon, with tip-off scheduled for later that evening. Several current and former Jazz players and coaches will be in attendance at the service.