The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 94 - 93 Wednesday at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Kings (12 - 17) looked sluggish for the first three quarters of Wednesday's game, and rightfully so after a hard - fought home victory over the Trail Blazers the night before. Something clicked, however, in the final period, as Sacramento managed to erase a double - digit victory and pull out the victory thanks to some timely free throws from DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins finished with a team - high 21 points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes as the only starter to reach double figures. Meanwhile, the reserve backcourt pairing of Ty Lawson and Garrett Temple combined for 30 points to help make up for a lackluster performance from the starters. For the Jazz (18 - 12), they came into the game undermanned in the backcourt, with George Hill (toe), Dante Exum (knee) and Rodney Hood (illness) all ruled out prior to Wednesday's matchup. That left their bench thin, and it showed, as the four reserves managed to combine for just 21 points. As a result, it was on Gordon Hayward to carry the load offensively, and he did not disappoint, scoring a game - high 28 points on 9 - of - 18 shooting from the field on top of 10 rebounds. Rudy Gobert also made his presence felt down low, as not only did he give Cousins' problems from start to finish, but he also managed to record 17 points and 14 rebounds. Ultimately, on a night where both teams were playing the second game of a back - to - back set, the Jazz just could n't finish the deal in the fourth quarter. Up next, the Kings will travel to Minnesota on Friday to take on the Timberwolves, while the Jazz will stay at home Friday to play the Raptors.
["TeamStat(G,'Jazz') has 12 Losses ,has 93 Total points ,has 18 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Kings') has 17 Losses ,has 94 Total points ,has 12 Wins ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'DeMarcus Cousins') has 31 Field goals attempted ,has 21 Field goals made ,has 8 Minutes played ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Gordon Hayward') has 18 Field goals attempted ,has 9 Field goals made ,has 28 Minutes played ,has 10 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Rudy Gobert') has 17 Field goals attempted ,has 14 Field goals made ."]