NBA 2018-19: Predicted Starting Lineups and Match Prediction - Utah Jazz vs Portland Trail Blazers
Match Details
Utah Jazz (29-22) vs Portland Trail Blazers (31-20), Week 16
30 January 2019, Tuesday, 10:30 PM ET (9:00 AM IST, 31 January)
Moda Center, Portland, OR
Head to Head (Regular Season)
Matches played: 188 games
Utah Jazz won: 102 games
Portland Trail Blazers won: 86 games
Last game played: Blazers beat the Jazz, 109-104
Match Overview
The Utah Jazz travel to the Moda Center, to face the Portland Trail Blazers in an exciting contest. The Jazz have been on a streak of late and have risen in the standings based on that. They are currently 7th in the Western Conference, with a 29-22 record and have gone on a 9-1 run in their last 10 games, winning 3 games in a row.
The Portland Trail Blazers have been up and down all season but are trending upwards of late. They are 4th in the Western Conference with a 31-20 record. They have won 7 of their last 10 games and are on a 2-game winning streak. This will be a great game between two teams that are in superb form.
Injuries
Utah Jazz: Guard Raul Neto has a groin injury and is considered day to day. Center Tony Bradley is also day to day with a knee injury. Guard Thabo Sefolosha is out with a hamstring injury and Dante Exum is also out with an ankle injury.
Portland Trail Blazers: Guard Damian Lillard is considered day to day with a knee injury and guard Evan Turner is considered day to day with an Achilles injury.
Players to watch out for
Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell had an okayish start to the season, not setting the court on fire as he did last season. He did not manage to make a leap this season in the beginning, making many doubt his credentials as a top player. But his hot streak in the month of December and January has shown really how much he has improved his game.
Mitchell has been averaging 22.5 points per game, along with 4 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game for the season. But he has found a new gear in January, averaging 28.1 points per game, along with 5.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game as well. It will an interesting contest against the Blazers and the Jazz will be hoping Mitchell leads them from the front again.
Last game stats: 29 points, 10-22 FG, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 TO against the Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard has been exceptional all season long for the Portland Trail Blazers. He has almost single-handedly led the Blazers to the 4th spot in the Western Conference. Lillard had started the season in amazing fashion but has now landed at 26.2 points per game, along with 6.2 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game as well.
He had been dealing with some knee soreness, which led to him missing the game against Atlanta Hawks, but he should take the court against the Utah Jazz tomorrow, considering the Blazers have just 1 game in their next 9 games and would like the win against the Jazz.
Last game stats: 24 points, 7-16 FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 2 TOs against the Phoenix Suns.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Utah Jazz: Ricky Rubio (G), Donovan Mitchell (G), Joe Ingles (F), Derrick Favours (F), Rudy Gobert (C).
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard (G), CJ McCollum (G), Maurice Harkless (F), Al-Farouq Aminu (F), Jusuf Nurkic (C)
Match Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers to beat the Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are coming hot into this game, winning 9 of their last 10 games and are on a 3-game winning streak as well. But, the Portland Trail Blazers will come up with the win tomorrow night, because Damian Lillard will return to the lineup and what he brings to this team, to boost their chances to get a win and with McCollum in form, they will be a tough team to stop, especially since it is a road game for the Jazz.