The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz Week 15 Outlook: Can win streak live on vs. stiff competition?

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 18, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 18, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 25: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers is trapped by Royce O’Neale #23 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz during their game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 25, 2018 in Salt Lake City , Utah. 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. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 25: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers is trapped by Royce O’Neale #23 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz during their game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 25, 2018 in Salt Lake City , Utah. 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. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

1/21 Utah vs. Portland

7:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 28-19

Season series: Jazz lead 2-0

In somewhat surprising fashion, the Jazz have had overwhelming success against the Portland Trail Blazers this year. In the first bout, the Jazz dominated them on their home court at the Moda Center by a whopping 30 points. They followed that beatdown up with a 117-96 blowout win on Christmas Day in Salt Lake City.

In both games, Damian Lillard was held in check with 20 points or fewer in each contest. That may not sound like too shabby of a performance for him, but compared to what he’s done to the Jazz in the past, it was a great defensive showing for Utah.

I expect the Blazers to come into this contest seeking revenge and they may very well be able to finally get the best out of the shorthanded Jazz who continue to deal with a thin backcourt while Portland, of course, has one of the best backcourt duos in the league. Then again, in some ways this squad reminds me of a team like Detroit or Orlando, which are groups that Utah has found great success against in recent seasons. Allow me to explain myself.

The Trail Blazers are clearly better than both those squads, but while Detroit and Orlando both rely heavily on their frontcourt with little consistent help elsewhere, Portland similarly relies on its backcourt with little help elsewhere. Therefore, so long as Lillard and C.J. McCollum are kept in check, I love the matchups elsewhere, particularly Rudy Gobert vs. Jusuf Nurkic, which Rudy has dominated this season.

This should be a great contest between two teams that know the pressure is heating up with the playoffs steadily approaching, but especially within the friendly confines of Vivint Smart Home Arena, I like Utah’s chances and expect them to continue to show that they have the edge in this matchup against the Blazers.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 112, Portland 106

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