Sacramento’s game against the Jazz started off about as well possible, despite the team missing two of its top three players. Chimezie Metu earned his first career start, stepping in at power forward the day that he signed his first full-time NBA (not a two-way) contract. He responded by scoring four points in the first quarter, adding an assist and a rebound, and the Kings were a plus-one in his nine and a half minutes.

Buddy Hield looked capable of handling more offensive responsibility in the absence of De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes, and Terence Davis added an additional punch off the bench. Had Davis’ buzzer-beating three gone in, the Kings would have ended the quarter tied with the Jazz.

And then, the wheels came off astoundingly quickly.

Utah began the second quarter on a 23-2 run. The Jazz put up 46 points in the period, outscoring the Kings by 29 to go up by 32. And they never let up, maintaining at least a 30-point lead for the remainder of the night. The final score was 154-105.

The stats from this game were eye-popping. 154 is the most points the Jazz have ever scored in a game. It is also the second-most points the Kings have ever conceded.

Utah made 22 threes compared to six for Sacramento. The Jazz outrebounded the Kings 48-29. They shot 64 percent from the field, 60 percent from three, and 95 percent at the foul line. Whatever they wanted to do on offense, they were able to.

About the only thing Sacramento did well was take care of the ball, but to what point and purpose. This was a lousy effort. Good riddance.