The Utah Jazz (2-1) welcome in the Portland Trail Blazers (2-2) to Vivint Smart Home Arena tonight at 7:00 PM as the Jazz will be playing their regular season home opener. The Jazz come into the game on a 2-game winning streak while the Blazers picked up a win on Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors is listed as questionable with flu-like symptoms after missing shoot around this morning and practice yesterday.
The Jazz will be challenged defensively tonight as they will go up against a very impressive backcourt in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. They will definitely need to slow the pace down and not let the Portland guards have big games. Tonight will be Raul Neto’s first regular season start at home. Welcome to the NBA as he gets to go up against Damian Lillard. Obviously, it’s not just those two going up against each other. Neto will also rely on his big guys to help out on defense, Raul Neto talked with the media after shoot around today. Here is that audio:
Trey Burke will also find himself matched up at times against Damian Lillard tonight. Burke has played well these last 2 games for the Jazz. he will need to have a big game off the bench tonight as he will need to be a spark for the second unit. The media was able to catch up with Trey Burke after practice. Here is that audio:
Rodney Hood will need to hit the open shots tonight and use his size defensively. He has to make the Trail Blazers work on the defensive side of the ball tonight to slow them down somewhat offensively. Hood talked with the media after shoot around. Here is that audio:
Utah Jazz Head Coach Quin Snyder always is preaching defense to his team. This will be a great early season test for the Jazz to really see where they are defensively. Their offensive will also need to step up tonight. If Favors can’t go tonight, Trevor Booker will most likely get the start in his place. Booker has had some success in the past against the Blazers. He will have to have a good game tonight. Quin Snyder talked with the media after practice today. Here is the audio:
