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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Damian Lillard enters at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Damian Lillard enters at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) /

Key #2 – Slow Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard has a reputation for playing very well against Utah. He’s a deadly shooter and a versatile scorer that can outmatch some of the best point guards in the league. If he’s left unchecked, it will likely spell doom for the home team Jazz.

But even though Lillard managed to score 33 and 39 points, respectively, in his two outings against Utah so far this season, the Jazz have actually done a pretty good job of containing his efficiency, especially from behind the arc. In the November contest, he went just 4-of-15 (26.7 percent) from three-point land and in the most recent bout against Utah, he went an even worse 2-of-8 (25 percent).

For a guy who’s shooting 37 percent from deep this season, that’s a major dip. And it will be vital that the Jazz look to force Lillard into a similar outing tonight. Lillard’s stats are pretty consistent in both wins and losses, meaning that one way or another, he’s going to find a way to put up points, but if his efficiency is shaken, it will mean mission accomplished for the Utah Jazz.

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