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Utah Jazz Week Seventeen Outlook, Predictions

By Jared Woodcox

Feb 11, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz fans Brad Liston (left) and Spencer Burnett (right) hold up signs prior to the game against the Boston Celtics at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz fans Brad Liston (left) and Spencer Burnett (right) hold up signs prior to the game against the Boston Celtics at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after dunking against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) reacts after dunking against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

2/15 Utah vs. Portland

7:00 pm MT – Root Sports/League Pass

Opponent record: 23-31

Season series: Blazers lead 1-0

In the week’s second and final contest for the Jazz, they’ll take on another team that we haven’t seen in quite some time in the divisional rival Portland Trail Blazers. Utah fell to Portland in the first game of the season in a game that was closer than the 113-104 score indicated.

Still, much like the Clippers, the Trail Blazers have given the Jazz serious problems in recent years. While Utah’s struggles against Portland don’t go as far back as those against LA, the Jazz are still just 3-10 against Portland in the last four seasons.

Portland has largely been able to overwhelm the Jazz thanks to their dynamic backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Those two create a tough cover for any team in the league and the Jazz will most certainly have their hands full against the duo.

However, Utah does enjoy quite an advantage in the frontcourt, depending on which version of Derrick Favors shows up for the contest. But even if Favors is slow out of the gates, Rudy Gobert should enjoy a significant advantage over Portland’s centers and may be enough alone to help capitalize against Portland’s weak frontcourt.

Just like the Jazz, the Blazers are a middling 5-5 over their last 10 games, so neither team comes in very hot. However, both have plenty to play for as Portland tries to fight their way back into the playoff mix and the Jazz battle it out for the fourth seed. Therefore, I’m expecting an extremely competitive and hard-fought game. And while the final score could go either way, I’m going to pin the Jazz as narrow winners in this one.

Portland is still dangerous, but they certainly aren’t as lethal as they’ve been in the recent years that the Jazz have struggled against them and their weak defense will hopefully allow the Jazz to get back to the offensive flow that we saw against New Orleans and Atlanta last week.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 105, Portland 103

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