Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers: NBA Picks & Predictions
Written March 31, 2009 by Jordan Haimowitz
The Jazz are the two-face team of the NBA. They are 32-6 at home which is the second best home record in the league right before the Cavs. However, they are 14-21 away from Salt Lake City. This is a team that tends to have serious problems closing out games. This reoccurring problem continued yesterday when they almost blew a 21 point lead against the lowly Knicks. The Jazz are led by one of the leagues best players, the second best point guard in the NBA in my eyes, Deron Williams. This year Deron is averaging 19 points and 10.5 assists per game. While many people are considering the Jazz as a threat in the Western Conference I am not sold. This isn’t a team that is over achieving with no name talent. Guys like Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko, Mehment Okur, Sharp shooting Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap and one of the leagues most underrated players, Ronnie Brewer. Utah is 6-4 SU in their last ten games overall and has the best division record going 10-3 to date. This match up against Portland is very important as the Blazers and Jazz are both tied for second in the division behind the Nuggets. The key factor for Utah tonight will be if they are able to contain LaMarcus Aldridge. Boozer has been very shaky on the defensive end since coming off his injury. You may very well see Paul Millsap play extended minutes tonight as I do not believe Boozer will be able to guard Aldridge. The NBA lines for Tuesday night show the Portland Trail Blazers as 6 point favorites against the Jazz with the total set for 194 points.
The Blazers are the ideal “team”. This is a collection of players that when analyzed on paper does not look to impressive. With the exception of All-Star Brandon Roy and very capable big man LaMarcus Aldridge, you have a bunch of journeymen, youngsters and mid-level role players. With that said, this team is still in prime position for a western conference playoff spot and is coached by a guy who does not tend to get the credit he deserves, Nate McMillan. While the Jazz are the leagues second best home team, the Blazers are the fourth best with a 30-7 record. Brandon Roy has continued to prove his case to why he should be considered amongst the NBA’s elite averaging 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. While Roy sometimes gets the label as a guy who takes to many bad shots, he has seemed to have corrected that part of his game. A big reason for Roy’s recent upswing as a league star, is due to LaMarcus Aldridge. The big man who played his college ball at Texas is a multi-facet talent. He averages 18 points and 7 rebounds. Aldridge is a great mid range shooter, solid rebounder, above average defender and he shoots 48% from the field. A key player for Portland tonight will be Rudy Fernandez. The Jazz have great knock down shooters while the Blazers have Steve Blake and Rudy as theirs. If Fernandez is able to out shoot Korver that could give Portland the edge they need. This game will be very intense as both teams need it in a big way.
Haimo’s Hot Notes: This is the game of the night.. Two Western Conference playoff teams going head to head. Both the Jazz and Blazers dominate at home and struggle on the road. This game is being played in Portland. This is the last meeting between these two teams. The first three times they met the home team has covered each time. Jazz lead the season series 2-1. This game leans to Portland in every way. Now everybody knows I am not the biggest trend hopper. This game though I’ll follow them. Utah is 2-7 ATS in their last nine games overall. The home team is 20-8 ATS in the last 28 games these teams met. The Jazz are coming off a grueling home win yesterday against the Knicks in a game they almost let get away after being up 20+ points. Portland is coming off two 20 point wins vs Memphis and Phoenix. This is a must have game for the Blazers to stay in the division hunt as they are looking at a four game road trip after tonight’s showdown with Utah. Take the Blazers tonight. They are currently laying 6.5 points and are the much deeper team then Utah and should be very well rested. Its a nice play.
Documented Record:
21-17 OVERALL
7-4 BEST BET
Betting Line: Blazers -6
Jordan’s Pick: Take Blazers -6 (Bookmaker)
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9 Responses to “Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers: NBA Picks & Predictions”
Got something to say?
Who says Brandon Roy takes too many bad shots?
Sheed,
numerous amounts of people starting with his college coach Lorenzo Romar. One of Roy’s problems since he has played at Washington is not playing to his teammates capability. This is something he has improved upon tremendously. Roy has emerged as one of the league’s top players and there is no doubt the improvement of Aldridge helps. I see your log in name is “sheed”. You take a look at my pistons article for tonight.
thanks for your interest,
Jordan
Maybe Romar did, but that was college and a very long time ago. Basically irrelevant in my mind. Plus, to be fair, “numerous” is not a source and I don’t believe anyone has said that about Roy in the NBA.
My name is Sheed due to an adjustment to my last name and my high release. I don’t like the Pistons or Rasheed.
In all seriousness, if you have articles or people who said Roy takes bad shots, I am really curious to see it.
I agree Sheed. I have never once heard that Roy takes bad shots and doesn’t play to his teammates capabilities? Last I heard he makes everyone around him better.
And why is there a picture of Ime Udoka? He hasn’t been on the team for like three years.
Sheed,
Thanks for the quick reply. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Romay in portsmouth, VA during NBA pro scout week 4 yeard back. Roy as you know went 6th overall and was passed on by the bobcats who were interested but decided on Morrison due to several reasons one being his decision making as the Bobcats orginatation did not think he had what it takes. (I realize thats not saying much considering the Cats history lol). I just report the facts and this was a fact that has been proved wrong as Roy is simply fantatsic. Your interest is greatly appreciated as it was a great comment
Thanks,
Jordan
(betfirms)
Romar* (met at portstmotuh)
The Bobcats made a terrible decision taking Morrison, obviously.
But as long as you think Roy is simply fantastic then it’s all good.
Peace.
He is one of the games best in my mind.
Jordan
You can give Jordan a break on the picture as he doesn’t choose them (I do). It’s the Blazers against the Jazz and I had to take what I could get. =)
I’ll try to keep them more up to date in the future!