The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Keys to picking the win streak right back up

By Jared Woodcox

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 11: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 11, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 11: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 11, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – FEBRUARY 11: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 11, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – FEBRUARY 11: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz on February 11, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Utah Jazz face an important game against the Portland Trail Blazers right off the bat as they make their return to action following the All-Star break.

Considering that the Utah Jazz are in 10th place in the Western Conference, knocking on the door for a playoff spot and will be battling for the remainder of the season to qualify for the postseason, it’s pretty easy to make an argument that every remaining game is a ‘big game.’ Nevertheless, tonight’s contest against the Portland Trail Blazers can be taken even a step further.

It’s a REALLY big game.

The Jazz are just two games behind the seventh place Blazers, who just happen to be one of the slew of teams that Utah could very well be competing with for playoff positioning down the season’s stretch. Not only that, but with the Jazz already holding a 2-0 lead over division rival Portland, they can seal the tiebreaker with a victory tonight.

A win this evening would put them ever closer to breaking into the top eight while also potentially helping them leapfrog one of their closest competitors.

But beating the Portland Trail Blazers won’t be easy. They’re a competitive team that will be well aware of the playoff implications of tonight’s bout as well and are going to have plenty to prove. Last time the Jazz faced the Blazers, Utah snapped a nine-game home winning streak for them, so you know that Portland is going to want to get revenge and end Utah’s 11-game run.

That’s going to make for a tough contest and if the Jazz are to get this important victory as well as continue to extend their streak, they’ll need to come up big in the following three areas.

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