Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz: Match Preview, Prediction, Time, TV Channel

Update: Robert Williams III and Dalano Banton were excluded.

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The Portland Trail Blazers could use a win after brutal road losses before Christmas.

What a great time to host the Utah Jazz (7-21), owners of the fifth-worst record in the NBA, on Thursday.

Oh, wait. Doesn’t matter.

The Jazz have won three of their last seven games, starting with a 141-99 win at Portland on Dec. 6.

So it would be foolish to think that the Jazz will be a pushover.

The Jazz dominated the Blazers without Lauri Markkanent. He has now returned and is playing well.

In his last five games, Markkanen is averaging 22.0 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 42.7% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range.

Forecast: If the Blazers don’t show enough heart, determination and motivation to avenge their terrible loss (the 13th worst in franchise history) to the Jazz, then Rip City should ban them from the arena. Again.

To give the Blazers the benefit of the doubt, we’re making them the pick on Thursday night.

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PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. UTAH JAZZ

What: Trail Blazers (9-20) vs. Jazz (7-21), 7 p.m., Thursday

Where: Moda Center.

Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).

TV channels: KATU Charge (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Comcast: 302 and 1170. DirecTV: 688-1. Dish: Available January 1).

b>How to watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE using an HDTV antenna at your local ABC affiliate (2.2 fee in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or purchase one online at Walmart or Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions for setting up an HDTV antenna on your TV or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on near you using the channel finder here.

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OPPORTUNITIES (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)

Money line: POR-110 | UTA +130

Spread: POR-3 | Over/Under: 226.5

INJURIES

Blazer: Robert Williams III (Right ankle sprain), Dalano Banton (left hip bruise) and Matisse Thybulle (Right ankle sprain) are excluded.

Jazz: John Collins (left hip bruise) and Keyonte George (left ankle sprain) are questionable. Taylor Hendricks (Right fibula fracture) is out.

Next

The Blazers host the Dallas Mavericks (19-11) on Saturday at 7 p.m.