Jazz vs. Blazers prediction and odds for Thursday, Dec. 14 (Back Portland to snap losing streak)
By Jovan Alford
The Jazz and the Trail Blazers will square off for the final time this season at the Moda Center tonight. Utah currently leads the season series 2-1 after defeating Portland by five points in overtime on Dec. 2.
The Blazers are looking to snap their four-game losing streak after dropping two hard-fought games against the Clippers and the Warriors. Portland hasn't played great at home this season, but they have a couple of young players in Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons, who will look to take over the game tonight.
Here are the odds and our best bet for Portland-Utah:
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Jazz vs. Trail Blazers odds, spread and total
Jazz vs. Trail Blazers how to watch
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 14
- Game Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
- Venue: Moda Center
- How to Watch (TV): ROOT SPORTS PLUS, KJZZ
- Jazz Record: 8-16
- Trail Blazers Record: 6-16
Jazz vs. Trail Blazers injury reports
Utah Jazz injury report
- Not yet submitted
Portland Trail Blazers injury report
- Deandre Ayton – Questionable
- Malcolm Brogdon – Questionable
- Jerami Grant – Out
- Robert Williams – Out
Jazz vs. Trail Blazers key players to watch
Utah Jazz
Collin Sexton: The 24-year-old point guard has quietly played well off the bench for the Jazz this season. Sexton is averaging 13.2 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. He made his first start against the Knicks on Wednesday night and went off for a season-high 26 points in 30 minutes. He also dished out seven assists and grabbed four rebounds in the four-point win over New York. The Jazz will be looking for more of that from Sexton as they won’t have rookie Keyonte George for their short two-game road trip.
Portland Trail Blazers
Shaedon Sharpe: The second-year shooting guard has taken his game to another level this season. Last season as a rookie, Sharpe only scored 9.9 points per game, but that has jumped up to 18.8 points per game. The 20-year-old is shooting 42.6% from the field (15.1 FG attempts per game) and 36.5% from beyond the arc (6.2 attempts per game). Sharpe has played well against the Jazz this season, averaging 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.
Jazz vs. Trail Blazers prediction and pick
With Utah not having George or Lauri Markannen tonight, the Jazz will face an uphill battle against the Blazers. Granted, Portland has Ayton and Brogdon listed as questionable. But the Blazers still have enough between Sharpe and Anfernee Simons to give the Jazz issues.
The Jazz haven’t played great basketball on the road this season (1-11), losing their last six games by 22.8 points per game. One of those losses came against Portland on Nov. 22, who won by 16 points. Utah is 2-8-1 against the spread as a road underdog but 3-4 ATS after a win this season.
Meanwhile, the Blazers are riding a four-game losing streak after tough defeats to the Clippers and Warriors. Portland lost to this same Jazz team earlier this month, as Utah escaped with a five-point overtime win. Sexton and Sharpe both led their respective teams with 25 points a piece.
The Blazers are better defensively between the two teams, which should help them in tonight’s matchup. This season, Portland allows 113.3 points per game (15th in the Association). If the Trail Blazers’ defense can show up tonight, they should snap their losing streak.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.