Recap: Jazz Dismantle Blazers, Enjoy 120-90 Blowout Win

The Blazers were blasted right out of the Moda Center by the Jazz Friday night, as Utah dominated at both ends for an easy 120-90 blowout victory. But don’t fret too much; Portland gets a rematch with the Jazz in just four days, Christmas night in Salt Lake City. In the meantime, here are a few essentials from tonight’s mismatch.

• Utah didn’t look like a sub-.500 12th seed. First, credit where it’s due. The Jazz brought their A-game all night, breaking down the Blazers’ defense with an inside-out game combined with timely three-point shooting. And their defense kept Portland struggling all night.
• Don’t forget Portland’s offense. Then again, please do. Portland’s rotation struggled to make shots all night, with just Meyers Leonard, Evan Turner and Jusuf Nurkic shooting over .500. Among the shooting lowlights: Damian Lillard’s 7-16, CJ McCollum’s 5-15, and, avert your eyes... Al-Farouq Aminu’s 1-10.
• Early garbage time. Terry Stotts closed up shop understandably early, bringing in the deep bench before the mid-point of the fourth quarter. Sometimes this gives fans a rarely-seen player to rave about. Not tonight.
• A rare boo-bird appearance. The fans “gave it up” for the Blazers’ rotation players as they were deservedly subbed out early in the fourth quarter.

What’s Next

A day off, and a Sunday night date with the Mavericks.

Box Score