The Trail Blazers arrive 3-1, while Utah looks to plug a defense allowing 120.2 points per game.
Portland visits Utah with a 3-1 record and No. 9 power-index ranking, against a Jazz team that is 1-4 and ranked No. 26. The Trail Blazers average 122.75 points per game; Utah has allowed 120.2, making the Jazz’s defensive response the central test. Keyonte George has powered Utah with 122 points and 34 assists in five games, while Portland’s Deni Avdija has 91 points and 26 assists in four. Portland will be without Ja Morant, Utah is missing Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen is questionable, so guard creation and Utah’s ability to contain Portland’s scoring could decide the matchup.