About the Blazers: The Blazers have won an NBA record 15 consecutive home openers and will look to extend that streak in their third meeting with the Utah Jazz in the past month. Portland also beat Utah in two preseason games in October.
Portland's backcourt had success against the Jazz last season, Damian Lillard averaged a team-high 28.7 points on 51.6 percent shooting, including 43.3 percent from three-point range. CJ McCollum averaged 26.3 points per game in four games against the Jazz last season. He shot 50.0 percent from the floor and 51.9 percent from beyond the three-point line.
The Blazers won three of four games against the Jazz last season and have won nine of the past 12 games against Utah.
Portland scored the seventh most points per possession in the NBA last season and return the bulk of that core that was so effective offensively. The Blazers' biggest challenge heading into the season is improving on defense, where Portland ranked 20th in points allowed per possession in 2015-16.
About the Jazz: Utah added key veterans to its young core in the offseason and all three may start the season opener on Tuesday.
Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw and George Hill were supposed to provide veteran savvy and added depth to the Jazz roster. Only Hill was tabbed as an opening day starter, but with injury issues already popping in Utah all three may be forced into major roles.
Jazz forward Gordon Hayward is sidelined for the first few weeks of the regular season due to a fractured finger. Starting power forward Derrick Favors missed Utah's final five preseason games and is game-time decision against the Blazers. Favors on Monday was a limited participant in Utah's final practice before the regular season.
The Jazz were one of top of the top defensive in the NBA last season, allowing the eighth fewest points per possession in the NBA in 2015-16. Utah figures to be back among the top defenses in the league this season, although it could take a step back initially if both Favors and Hayward miss significant time.
Injuries: For the Blazers, Festus Ezeli (left knee rehab) is out.
For the Jazz, Alec Burks (left knee and ankle rehabilitation) and Gordon Hayward (fractured finger in left hand) are out. Derrick Favors (left knee soreness) is a game-time decision.
Portland's backcourt had success against the Jazz last season, Damian Lillard averaged a team-high 28.7 points on 51.6 percent shooting, including 43.3 percent from three-point range. CJ McCollum averaged 26.3 points per game in four games against the Jazz last season. He shot 50.0 percent from the floor and 51.9 percent from beyond the three-point line.
The Blazers won three of four games against the Jazz last season and have won nine of the past 12 games against Utah.
Portland scored the seventh most points per possession in the NBA last season and return the bulk of that core that was so effective offensively. The Blazers' biggest challenge heading into the season is improving on defense, where Portland ranked 20th in points allowed per possession in 2015-16.
About the Jazz: Utah added key veterans to its young core in the offseason and all three may start the season opener on Tuesday.
Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw and George Hill were supposed to provide veteran savvy and added depth to the Jazz roster. Only Hill was tabbed as an opening day starter, but with injury issues already popping in Utah all three may be forced into major roles.
Jazz forward Gordon Hayward is sidelined for the first few weeks of the regular season due to a fractured finger. Starting power forward Derrick Favors missed Utah's final five preseason games and is game-time decision against the Blazers. Favors on Monday was a limited participant in Utah's final practice before the regular season.
The Jazz were one of top of the top defensive in the NBA last season, allowing the eighth fewest points per possession in the NBA in 2015-16. Utah figures to be back among the top defenses in the league this season, although it could take a step back initially if both Favors and Hayward miss significant time.
Injuries: For the Blazers, Festus Ezeli (left knee rehab) is out.
For the Jazz, Alec Burks (left knee and ankle rehabilitation) and Gordon Hayward (fractured finger in left hand) are out. Derrick Favors (left knee soreness) is a game-time decision.
