The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week 10 Outlook: Perplexing Jazz face tough slate

By Jared Woodcox

MEXICO CITY, MX - DECEMBER 15: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz looks on prior to the game against the Orlando Magic as part of the NBA Mexico Games 2018 on December 15, 2018 at Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MX - DECEMBER 15: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz looks on prior to the game against the Orlando Magic as part of the NBA Mexico Games 2018 on December 15, 2018 at Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 11: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball over Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz on April 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 11: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball over Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz on April 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

12/21 Utah at Porland

8:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/NBA TV

Opponent record: 16-13

Season series: Tied 0-0

The Portland Trail Blazers have slid quite a bit since an early quick start and it’s seen them fall to eighth place in the Western Conference with a 16-13 record. However, they quickly reminded the NBA world that they’re still a force to be reckoned with when they toppled the league-leading Toronto Raptors on Friday in statement fashion.

The Blazers seem to be the team that is perennially counted out yet still finds a way to come through, as they’ve proved several times in recent seasons as they’ve overcome doubters to qualify for the playoffs. As such, they definitely shouldn’t be counted out, especially by a Jazz team that’s had far more issues than Portland even during their recent slump.

Not only that, but the Jazz have only won one game in Portland in their last six tries, meaning that the Moda Center has been far from kind to them in recent bouts. Considering that this will come on the tail of yet another quick travel turnaround and will be in the hostile environment that is Moda Center, I’m feeling less than optimistic about Utah’s chances.

Both Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are known Jazz killers, and even Jusuf Nurkic has had a knack for giving Rudy Gobert some issues, so I’m picking the Blazers to defend home court and come away with the win quite comfortably.

My Prediction: Blazers Win

Final Score: Portland 115, Utah 109

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