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SALT LAKE CITY -- In 1985, “Growing Pains” debuted to a national television audience. The situation comedy, starring a fresh-faced Kirk Cameron as teenage heartthrob Mike Seaver and an Alan Thicke in the prime of his acting career, went on to delight audiences for seven seasons.
The remake, starring the 2011-2012 Utah Jazz, is not delighting audiences — at least not lately.
"It's just growing pains. I think the guys are playing hard. We're just making mental mistakes," Utah Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin told the Deseret News after Tuesday’s 103-96 loss at Sacramento. "We've got to grow our way through it. I'm not disappointed in our effort. I think the guys are trying to play hard. I just think we're making mistakes that's costing us. It could be some mental. It could be inexperience together."
After edging the Kings in their first matchup in Salt Lake City, the Jazz dropped a tough one on the road to the Kings. Team members are on a mission validate themselves after news recently broke of plans to build a new arena, which will keep them in Sacramento.
Demarcus Cousins led the Kings’ effort by scoring 22 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. Rookie point guard Isaiah Thomas scored 18 and dished out seven assists in the win.
Jazz center Al Jefferson said the team didn’t play the way they are supposed to play.
“We got caught up in their style of play instead of playing our style — slow tempo and running our offense,” Jefferson said to the Associated Press during post-game interviews. “We started taking quick shots, and that’s what they wanted us to do. It’s getting old and getting frustrating.”
The Jazz (15-18) has now lost four straight games, 11 of their last 14, and is 3-12 on the road this season.
After the disappointing loss, the Jazz returns to Salt Lake City to face a streaking Houston Rockets team (21- 14). The Rockets have won four straight and six of their last seven games, and are coming off an 88-85 win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday in Houston.
The Rockets shot 38.7 percent for the game and were outrebounded by 10, and yet, managed to get the win.
“We were playing well,” said Rockets forward Luis Scola to the Houston Chronicle. “We got the game under control, and then we starting making a lot of mistakes. They came back to the game, and we were lucky. We were lucky to run away with this one.”
The Rockets have won 25 consecutive games in which they’ve held their opponent under 90 points.
For the struggling Jazz, playing a home game at EnergySolutions Arena against a Rockets team that struggles on the road may be the way the Jazz snap its longest streak of the season. The Jazz are 12-6 at ESA, while the Rockets are 6-10 away from the Toyota Center in Houston.
The game takes place at 7 p.m. at Energy Solutions Arena and will be televised by Root Sports.
Jarrod is a freelance writer who writes Jazz previews for KSL.com. You can follow Jarrod Hiatt on Twitter at @jarrodhiatt.
