Four years ago, it was the other way around.

The Utah Jazz was the proven product, two-time defending Western Conference champions, lean and mean. The Kings were the longshots, respected but hardly feared.

Utah, seeded second, prevailed in a gut-wrenching series that went the distance, five games. It was the Kings' coming-out party, the official move from sad-sack status to that of serious player, a point cemented when they had a chance to win late.