The Utah Jazz (7-21) travel to face off against the Portland Trail Blazers (9-20) on Thursday, December 26th. This game will be played at Moda Center in Portland and televised on NBA. Both the Jazz and Trail Blazers will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Tip off is scheduled for 10:00 ET.

Jazz vs Trail Blazers

The Jazz Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Utah’s season record fell to 7-21 after a 124-113 road loss to the Cavaliers on Monday. The Jazz, who entered the game as +14 point underdogs, managed to keep it closer than expected. The total score of 237 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 232.5.

Utah stayed competitive throughout, trailing by just 2 points after the 1st quarter and 4 points at halftime. However, Cleveland pulled away in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Jazz 39-32. Both teams scored 25 points in the 4th quarter.

The Trail Blazers Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Trail Blazers dropped to 9-20 on the season after a 132-108 road loss to the Mavericks on Monday. Portland entered the game as +13 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 240 points exceeded the O/U line of 230.5 by 9.5 points.

Portland led 31-28 after the 1st quarter, but the game slipped away as they were outscored 34-22 in the 2nd and 40-23 in the 3rd. They trailed 102-76 entering the 4th, where they outscored Dallas 32-30.

Jazz Offense Breakdown

In their 124-113 loss to the Cavaliers, the Jazz shot just 41.3% from the field, but their three-point shooting was a bright spot, hitting 19 threes at a 43.2% clip. Jordan Clarkson led the way with 27 points, adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists, while Lauri Markkanen contributed 26 points and 7 rebounds, connecting on 6 threes.

Collin Sexton chipped in 24 points, knocking down 4 threes. Clarkson and Markkanen both scored 9 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters, with Sexton adding 8 points in each of the final two periods.

Trail Blazers Offense Breakdown

In their 132-108 loss to the Mavericks, the Trail Blazers shot 46.2% from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 8 threes at a 27.6% rate. Deni Avdija led the team with 19 points, while Deandre Ayton added 16, shooting 72.7% from the floor.

Scoot Henderson contributed 14 points, including 7 in the 4th quarter, and Jabari Walker also scored all 13 of his points in the final period. Avdija was consistent throughout, scoring 6 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters.

Jazz Team Defense

The Jazz struggled defensively against the Cavaliers, giving up 124 points on 47% shooting. Their toughest stretch came in the 3rd quarter, where they allowed 39 points. They did manage to tighten up in the 4th, holding Cleveland to 25 points.

Utah had a tough time defending the three, as the Cavaliers hit 20 threes at a 43% clip. The Jazz also sent Cleveland to the line 23 times, where they made 18 free throws. Utah finished with 33 defensive rebounds, allowing 10 offensive boards, and added 6 steals and 5 blocks.

Trail Blazers Team Defense

The Jazz struggled defensively in the 3rd quarter, giving up 39 points, contributing to their 124-113 loss to the Cavaliers. Cleveland shot 47% from the field, including 20 made three-pointers at a 43% clip.

Utah sent the Cavaliers to the line 23 times, where they hit 18 free throws. The Jazz allowed 10 offensive rebounds while recording 6 steals and 5 blocks.

Jazz vs Trail Blazers Trends

• Although Utah has a straight up record of 3-7 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 113 points per game in these games.
• Although Portland has a straight up record of 0-5 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-4. The team averaged 102 points per game in these games.
• The last ten games that Utah was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 5-5 while going 3-7 straight up.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Portland has an ATS mark of 3-7 while going 3-7 straight up.

Jazz vs Trail Blazers Prediction

The Trail Blazers is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 159-137. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Trail Blazers at -1.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 228.5 and our model has the Jazz and Trail Blazers finishing with a combined 296 points. Our pick is to take the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.