by Charlie O. Mallonee

The misery continued on Saturday night as the Kings lost for the 11th time in their last 12 games. This time the loss came at the hands of the Utah Jazz (18-33) 102-90.

The troubles for the Kings started early as they scored just 15 points in the first quarter. Sacramento shot a miserable 26.1-percent (6 for 23) from the field and were zero for five from 3-point range. The Kings trailed by 10 after the first quarter.

The Kings did not lack energy. They just could get shots to fall.

The Kings shooting percentage improved slightly in the second quarter and they matched the Jazz scoring with 24 points. It was 49-39 at the half.

The Jazz came out strong in the third quarter going on a 15-2 run and building a 23 point lead. The Kings kept battling but the deficit was just too great for them to overcome. Sacramento (17-32) had lost their third consecutive game.

Forward Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 30 points going 13 for 23 shooting from the floor. Derrick Favors put up 20 points to go with five assists and three blocked shots.

Utah’s Enes Kanter posted a double-double scoring 17 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

The Jazz shot 50.0-percent (43 for 86) from the floor.They had 21 assists and turned the ball over just nine times. The Jazz outrebounded the Kings 43-40.

DeMarcus Cousins was the Kings leading scorer recording another double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Rudy Gay, who tweaked his ankle early in the game, scored just four points.

Ben McLemore scored 15 points including three 3-pointers. Ramon Sessions, who started for the injured Darren Collison, put up 11 points to go with five assists.

As a team, the Kings shot just 39.0-percent (32 for 82) from the field. They were just three for 13 (23.1-percent) from beyond the 3-point arc. Sacramento, usually a good free throw shooting team, shot just 69.7-percent (23 for 33) from the stripe.

The off-court drama continues

Rumors have persisted over the past week that the Kings would replace Tyrone Corbin as head coach over the All-Star break. The rumor mill has also had the Kings in negotiations with George Karl over the weekend. Now those talks may have hit a snag.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski: Yahoo Sources: The resistance to George Karl hiring by Cousins’ camp has stalled talks and given sides pause about pushing through on deal.

Nothing is going to come easy for the Kings this season. They cannot win games and now, they cannot even hire a permanent coach without controversy.

Up Next

The Kings have no time to rest as they host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night at Sleep Train Arena.