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Earl Watson was a blur of white, navy, gold and green. Racing down the court with a bouncing basketball leading his way, the veteran Jazz guard kicked up the tempo while delivering new life. And he was everything an at-times sleepy Utah team needed Monday night during the Jazz's 94-83 victory over the Sacramento Kings at EnergySolutions Arena before a crowd of 18,698.

It has taken 15 contests for Watson to find his touch with his new squad. But after igniting a 15-5 second-quarter run versus the Kings — which followed a six-assists-in-16-minutes performance Saturday during a win over Portland — the small, speedy guard has begun to carve out an identity in the Jazz's second unit.

"My confidence is definitely building. That's an exciting thing," Watson said. "But at the same time, it's a progression that I have to be patient about. Because the minutes are shorter, so I can't expect it to come all at once."

Either running solo or teaming with fellow reserve point guard Ronnie Price, Watson's long-proven blend of full-court offense and precise passing has given Utah a sharp new look when the team's starters exit the court.

Watson provided a much-needed lift Monday, with the Jazz's primary unit initially appearing out of sync, hitting just four of its first 15 shots. Heading into the second quarter, Utah (10-5) trailed 22-20 against a struggling Kings (4-9) squad that has lost eight of its last nine games.

Then Watson, Ronnie Price, C.J. Miles, Francisco Elson and Kyrylo Fesenko laced up their running shoes and went to work. Miles scored 13 points in less than eight minutes. Price, Elson and Fesenko all poured in shots, as the team's second rotation totaled a season-high 37 points. And while Watson's statistical line showed just two points, two assists and one rebound during 8 minutes of first-half action, his on-the-court impact was much larger.

The Jazz outscored Sacramento 29-15 during the period. And as Utah assistant coach Phil Johnson said Saturday, Watson does not have to score a point to change the game.

"He's getting more comfortable with what we're trying to do," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, who returned to action Monday after missing two games while attending a funeral. "And I think, with that, everything has been more comfortable to him."

Miles scored a game-high 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting for Utah, while five players hit double figures in scoring.

The Jazz committed just eight turnovers while recording 20 assists on 34 made field goals. The efficient numbers overshadowed Utah's continued struggles on the glass — the Jazz were outrebounded 50-39 and allowed 16 offensive boards.

"Our rebounding is … really going downhill," Sloan said.

Rookie DeMarcus Cousins topped the Kings with 18 points.

"We really kind of just let the flow of the game and the situation of the game get to us, and we got out of sync," Cousins said.

In contrast, the Jazz's starting five locked in during the second half, rolling off a 29-19 third quarter that saw each first-unit player make a mark.

Utah's Deron Williams continued to struggle with his shot, though. Williams finished the game 4-of-14 from the floor, and has hit just seven of his last 27 attempts.

Williams was point blank about his shot: "It sucks."

"A lot of it's my legs, man," Williams said. "I've just got a lot of things going on. … I'm not used to missing these shots that I'm missing."

Even with the Jazz's star player misfiring, Utah improved to 4-3 at home and has won eight of its last 10 games. The Jazz also pulled within a half game of Oklahoma City for first place in the Northwest Division.

But a Utah squad enjoying the comforts of an extended homestand — eight of the Jazz's next nine games are at EnergySolutions Arena ­— faces two consecutive major early-season tests with New Orleans and the Los Angeles Lakers looming on the schedule. The teams hold a combined 23-3 record, and have positioned themselves as the initial elite of the Western Conference.

"It's a tough week, obviously. … But we'll worry about New Orleans right now," Utah guard Raja Bell said.

bsmith@sltrib.comTwitter: @tribjazz —

Storylines Spreading wealth

R In short • Five players hit double figures in scoring for the Jazz.

Key stat • Utah commits just eight turnovers while recording 20 assists.

Key moment • The Jazz use a 15-5 second-quarter run to change the game.