The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week One Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) defends against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) defends against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) and forward Ed Davis (17) during the third quarter at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) and forward Ed Davis (17) during the third quarter at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

10/25 Utah at Portland

8:00 pm MT – Root Sports/League Pass

Opponent record: 0-0

Season series: Tied 0-0 (Jazz lost preseason 0-2)

As was already mentioned, Utah starts out the season against a divisional foe that has become all too familiar, particularly over the last month during preseason. The Jazz faced the Blazers twice in October with a loss coming in both the road and home contests.

Of course preseason and the regular season are two completely different animals, so assuming that the Blazers are significantly better than the Jazz based on those two games is likely not accurate.

Nevertheless, Portland does boast one of the best backcourt duos in the league in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, along with an onslaught of athletic talent and, in my opinion, one of the greatest and most underrated coaches in the league in Terry Stotts. So there’s no questioning that this is a formidable team.

Despite being picked to finish among the bottom of the league last season following LaMarcus Aldridge’s departure, Lillard, Stotts and Co. were able to carry the Blazers to the fifth seed in the West and into the second round of the playoffs.

And while last season was great for the Blazers, there’s several indications that this year could be even better. Thus, an undermanned Jazz team might have a rough go opening on the road against this savvy and skilled team. Not to mention, the Moda Center which is almost always filled to capacity is one of the toughest places to play in the league.

For the Jazz to have a chance, the likes of George Hill, Rodney Hood, and Dante Exum will have to have an exceptional defensive game and make life miserable for the Blazers’ backcourt.

On offense, Utah will need Rudy Gobert to step up big time (particularly if Favors is absent) in the match-up against Mason Plumlee, something he did rather well in preseason, finishing with 10 and 15 points in the two match-ups in limited minutes.

Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of Portland Trail Blazers forward Mason Plumlee (24) during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks the shot of Portland Trail Blazers forward Mason Plumlee (24) during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

In both preseason contests, the Jazz kept it close, but ultimately the Blazers pulled away and triumphed. I expect a similar result in the season opener, considering the Blazers level of talent and the challenges facing Utah in terms of injuries and adapting to new players.

My Prediction: Blazers Win

Final Score: Portland 96, Utah 91

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