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Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Keys to the Game

By Jared Woodcox

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 /
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Feb 15, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) high fives Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the second quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) high fives Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the second quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Performer – Rudy Gobert

Much like the Jazz ought to have the advantage on the boards without Nurkic in action, one Jazzman who should enjoy a particularly unbalanced match-up against a weakened Blazers frontcourt is none other than Rudy Gobert.

The Stifle Tower has been dominant on both ends of the court for quite some time now evidenced by his streak of nine games with double-doubles in which he has averaged an incredible 20.1 points, 14.8 rebounds and 3.9 blocks. Considering that some of those outings have come against the likes of DeAndre Jordan, Anthony Davis and Tristan Thompson, Gobert should have no problem picking apart Meyers Leonard and the Blazers.

Rudy has quickly become Utah’s most consistent and energetic player, particularly in the season’s final stretch. As he continues to exhibit his dominant play on both ends of the floor, I expect him to have a big game against the Blazers once again tomorrow night.

He finished with a respectable 13 points and 12 rebounds in the previous contest against Portland, but given his recent averages and the lack of frontcourt depth for the Blazers, he’s likely to eclipse even those figures.

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