Divisional rivals, the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz have had many a good battle over the years.
Just last year, the two franchises went back and forth for the Northwest Division crown until the final game of the regular season. The Blazers ultimately took the divisional crown for 2017-18, winning at home 102-93.
Now a season later, both teams are looking to hold their places amongst the powers that be in the Western Conference. The Jazz currently sit at 15-17 and could use a big win against the Blazers to build off of their recent win against the Warriors. The Blazers, now 18-13, need a big win of their own. A home win against the Jazz would mark the fourth straight for a Portland squad looking keep distancing themselves from a rough couple of weeks out West. The contest marks the first of the season for the frequent foes.
Big Night Needed from Blazer Bigs
One of the pivotal matchups for a Blazer win will be the matchups in the paint. Whether it is Derrick Favors or Rudy Gobert, the Jazz hold a strong presence on the interior at both ends of the floor. Nurkic represents the Blazers single best option to counter such a presence. With the likes of Zach Collins and Meyers Leonard more comfortable on the perimeter offensively, it will be up to Nurkic to provide the Blazers with extra chances on offense against one of the league’s best defenses.
The perimeter preference of Collins and Leonard should prove valuable to the Blazers as well. With multiple bigs that are capable three-point shooters, the Jazz will not be able to clog the lane as much as may be preferred. If Collins and Leonard can knock down even a few open shots from the perimeter, the Jazz will be forced to decide between paying less attention to Nurkic inside or leaving Collins and Leonard open on the outside.
Shot Selection a Must for Portland
Outside of the importance of the Blazer bigs, Portland will need to emphasize sound shot selection to beat a team constructed as the Jazz are. With strong defenders both inside and outside, the Jazz are a team that can make an opponent pay for taking errant shots.
The shot selection will be of the utmost importance for starting guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. The concept will be particularly important for McCollum, who contributes less in other aspects of the game than Lillard does.
Poor shot selection from any of the Blazers will play right into what the Jazz want. A team like Utah, so adept at limiting opponent opportunities, wants nothing more than for an opponent to squander the opportunities allowed by the Jazz defense.
Final Prediction
Anything can happen in the wild wild West. A showdown between a capable offense and a capable defense can always go either way. The Blazers will have to knock down shots, but if nothing else the team has a few more three-point threats than in year’s past, a dangerous weapon against Utah.
The points will not come easy, but if the Blazers can score even close to their usual rate, Utah’s middling offense will not be able to keep pace. Divisional battles are never easy, but the Blazers have the tools to continue their recent success at home. Edge: Blazers.