The Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz were busy boys during the trade deadline and made some significant last minute deals. The Blazers got a solid wing in Arron Afflalo, but he’s not yet ready to suit up for his new team. Meanwhile, the Jazz gave away promising big man Enes Kanter, who had been a double-double machine in recent weeks.
With both teams shorthanded, which one can make the necessary adjustments when they go head-to-head on Friday? Find out as we break down this Western Conference match-up. For more big-time battles out West, check out our previews of the Spurs vs. Warriors and Rockets vs. Mavericks.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz Betting Preview
Where: EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City
When: Friday, February 20, 2015, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Portland Trail Blazers at Utah Jazz – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers
After enduring a rough patch in mid-to-late January, the Portland Trail Blazers entered the All-Star break on a high with four wins in their last five games. In their last two games, they withstood 45 points from James Harden to beat the Rockets, 109-98, at Houston and led by as many as 23 points in a 102-86 win over the Lakers.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The All-Star duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard continue to lead the way for the Blazers offensively. Aldridge is still averaging 21.6 points and 11 rebounds in February despite playing with an injured left thumb, while Lillard (20.4 points per game and 49 percent shooting in his last five) has seemingly broken out of his prolonged January shooting slump.
The two combined for 47 points on 18-of-33 shooting in Portland’s 103-102 home win over Utah on Feb. 3.
The Blazer bench has been a very welcome surprise recently, particularly Meyers Leonard and CJ McCollum. The two have averaged a combined 22.5 points in the last two games to give the Blazers some much-needed depth.
The two should continue to see significant court time against the Jazz after the big trade they pulled with the Denver Nuggets. Leonard should take the departed Thomas Robinson’s minutes, while McCollum will likely feature with the newly-acquired Arron Afflalo not expected to make his debut in Utah.
Betting on the Utah Jazz
Gordon Hayward was never going to be an All-Star this season, but he definitely played like one all the way up to the break. Hayward averaged 23 points, six rebounds and five assists while shooting 49 percent from the field and 45 percent from three in his last 11 games.
The Jazz went 5-6 in those 11 games, but were 7-3-1 against the spread, thanks in large part to Hayward’s inspired play. He led the way with 26 points, 15 boards and six assists in Utah’s shock 110-100 home win over the league-leading Warriors on Jan. 30 and had 27 points against the Blazers three days later. He also had back-to-back 30 point-games in back-to-back wins over the Kings and Pelicans last week.
It hasn’t been all Hayward, though. Derrick Favors is averaging 17 points on 52 percent shooting in February, while Enes Kanter had been averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds in his last dozen games. But with Kanter now traded to the Thunder, the Jazz will struggle to recoup that kind of production from their other big men, Rudy Gobert, Trevor Booker and Kendrick Perkins.
Sixth man Trey Burke will be the big X-factor for a Jazz team that will be in need of some added offense against Portland. Burke (11.7 points on 34 percent shooting in February) has been streaky and unpredictable for much of the season, but he can be hard to stop when he’s feeling it on a particular night. He had 18 big points off the bench against the Blazers in their earlier matchup this month.
Writer’s Prediction
The Blazers once again get the better of the Jazz, but Utah is able to cover at home. Create a betting account now and enjoy all the best NBA hoops action with America’s top sportsbook.
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