2 Studs and 1 Dud in Trail Blazers' convincing preseason win over Jazz

The Portland Trail Blazers enter the 2024-25 regular season after winning three of their four preseason games. They obliterated the Utah Jazz in their final preseason game with a final score of 124-86. Head coach Chauncey Billups also won his first career preseason game against an NBA team. The Blazers won in convincing fashion, but regular-season expectations should still be tempered.

Until they can prove otherwise in the regular season, Portland should still be projected behind Utah in the Western Conference standings, as they finished with the worst record in the West last season and haven't made a significant off-season upgrade to suggest otherwise.

Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan are excellent additions to their rebuilding core. However, neither are "needle movers" impactful enough to put them ahead of the Jazz heading into the 2024-25 season. Still, with Deandre Ayton sitting out, Clingan was incredible in this particular game. And he wasn't the only Blazers player to stand out in their final preseason game, for better or for worse.

Stud No. 1: Donovan Clingan

The Blazers were down two centers, with Ayton resting and Robert Williams III still recovering from a grade 1 hamstring injury. As a result, Clingan received his first start and played 24 minutes, which was a preseason high for the UConn big man.

He was highly productive in his increased role and impacted the game on both ends with 14 points, 20 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks on 7-12 shooting from the field. Clingan's physical tools were too much for the Jazz to handle, as ten of his 20 rebounds came on the offensive end. Portland totaled 108 field goal attempts compared to Utah's 81, and Clingan played a vital role.

This was the exact type of game that supports the notion that Clingan was a steal for the Blazers as the No. 7 overall pick. His impact on winning went much further than his 14 points, as "Cling Kong" provided much-needed rebounding, rim protection, and passing. He even almost made a three, but his foot was on the line.

This type of performance is highly encouraging for Clingan's long-term prospects with the Blazers. He should also continue to have success in the short term, as the 7-foot-2 center can take advantage of matchups against smaller teams in the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans (twice) to start the season.