Preview: Portland Trail Blazers play new-look Utah Jazz
By Ty Delbridge
After an abysmal second quarter and 14-point home loss to the Toronto Raptors, the Portland Trail Blazers face the Utah Jazz on the road.
The Portland Trail Blazers play ten of their next 11 games at home and host four straight. In the middle, they take a quick road trip to face the Utah Jazz.
The game can be watched locally on NBCSNW or heard through Rip City Radio 620 at 7:00 p.m. PT.
Both Portland and Utah have records of (4-3).
The Blazers come off a double-digit loss to Toronto while the Jazz are on a two game win streak.
Portland and Utah share first place in the Northwest Division with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Injuries:
Meyers Leonard will miss his second game as he recovers from an ankle injury.
It’s unclear right now if Noah Vonleh makes his season debut against the Jazz on Wednesday. He is still recovering from a shoulder ailment from the summer.
Both two-way players miss tonight, and the next couple weeks, for the Blazers.
The Jazz are without guard Dante Exum. He likely sits out the whole season due to a separated shoulder sustained during preseason.
Starting lineup:
PG: Damian Lillard | SG: C.J McCollum | SF: Moe Harkless | PF: Al-Farouq Aminu | C: Jusuf Nurkic
As of right now, the starting lineup should stay the same. If Vonleh returns Wednesday, Terry Stotts might include him in the starting five.
Pat Connaughton, Ed Davis, and Evan Turner are the three Blazer reserves getting consistent minutes each night. Stotts likes using Ed Davis and Caleb Swanigan together, so keep an eye out for the rookie getting increased minutes.
Players to watch for:
Jusuf Nurkic
Nurk is off to a slow start this season.
He averages 12.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 40% FG shooting in 26 minutes of play.
Despite an offseason with Portland, Nurkic still encounters trouble flowing with the offense and avoiding foul trouble.
If the Blazers are going to be successful, they need Nurk to play better on both ends.
Going against the Jazz, Nurk matches up with Rudy Gobert. Gobert is a strong, long armed athlete who blocks and rebounds like a machine.
Jusuf Nurkic needs to play physical against him on post-ups and challenge for rebounds. Nurk can draw Gobert out of the paint if his midrange and three-point shots fall.
No Gobert down low means more open lanes for Blazers guards and wings to penetrate.
On the defensive end, Jusuf needs to play smart and stay out of foul trouble.
Damian Lillard
Lillard’s shot has been off this season. He shoots 39% from the field and 37.5% from deep.
That being said, Lillard is still averaging 24.3 points,4.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and a career high 1.4 steals. However, Portland seems out of whack with its superstar not playing up to par.
Lillard returns to Utah, where he played four years at Weber State.
Dame Dolla’s career averages against the Jazz:
25.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 46% field goal and 42% three-point. This includes a career-high 59-point game last year against them at home.
After scoring 36 points in the loss to the Raptors, Lillard looks to keep the aggressive scoring going against the Jazz.