The Sacramento Kings tallied their first awesome win of the season on Wednesday, a thrilling victory over the L.A. Lakers. That ended a five-game losing streak and seemingly erased a lot of the worst feelings surrounding the team. But was it simply a one-game respite from the doldrums of another awful season, or a sign of improvement to come?

We'll start to find out on Friday, as the Kings visit the Utah Jazz. The game's at 6 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet California and 1140 AM.

The Jazz enter 6-6, but a perfect 4-0 at home. They're led by two tough big men, Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, who figure to challenge the Kings' frontcourt in much the same way L.A.'s did. Sacramento was up to the challenge on Wednesday, but needs a repeat performance against a duo that could easily drop a combined 50.

The Kings haven't won on the road in four games. Now'd be a good time to start.

Game thread will be up at 6. Akis' prediction thread will be up at 10. Match-up of the game at 2.