PREMIUM
Rogers' Opening Night PLAYBOOK >> Went 6-2 in LY's Finals!
(NBA) Utah vs. Portland,
Point Spread: -5.50 | -107.00 Portland (Home)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -5.50 | -107.00 Portland (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Jazz were 40-42 last season, falling one victory short of a Western Conference postseason spot. Meanwhile, the Blazers, despite losing four of five starters from the previous year's team, went 44-38. Portland then fell behind the LA Clippers 2-0 in its opening round series, only to rebound and win four games in a row over an LA devastated by injures to first Blake Griffin and then Chris Paul. Portland's season ended when it was eliminated by the Warriors in five games. The team's open the 2016-17 season tonight in Portland at the Moda Center (I miss the Rose Garden).
Utah: After finishing ninth in the West last season, the Jazz made three veteran offseason acquisitions, PG George Hill, swingman Joe Johnson and all-purpose forward Boris Diaw, to a young nucleus that includes front-liners Gordon Hayward (19.7-5.0-3.7), Derrick Favors (16.4-8.1) and Rudy Gobert (9.1-11.0). However, the team's best player (Hayward), will miss the game with a broken left ring finger plus Favors and reserve guard Alec Burks will likely miss the game with knee issues. That means Diaw and Johnson will likely team with Gobert on the front line in a Utah starting lineup that will include Hill and Hood (14.5 PPG) in the backcourt.
Portland: Damian Lillard had his best season in 2015-16, joining James, Curry and Westbrook as the only players to place among the league's top 10 in scoring (25.1, sixth) and assists (6.8, eighth) during the regular season. "I want to get to the Western Conference finals and give ourselves a chance to get to the (NBA) Finals," said Lillard, who is joined in the backcourt by C.J. McCollum (20.8 PPG & 4.2 APG). That duo led Portland to revamp quickly last season after losing mainstay LaMarcus Aldridge as a free agent. Al-Farouq Aminu (10.2 & 6.1) and Maurice Harkless (6.4 & 3.6) will open the season as the starting forwards with Mason Plumlee (9.1 & 7.7) back as the center.
The pick: The Jazz are missing too many key ‘pieces' in the opener to deal with Lillard and McCollum, who combined for 426 three-pointers last season (Lillard ranked fourth in the NBA with 229). Offseason additions such as swingman Evan Turner and center Festus Ezeli were brought in to fortify a bench that includes swingman Allen Crabbe (10.3) and forward/center Meyers Leonard (8.4 & 5.1). The Blazers were 3-1 against the Jazz last season, losing only in a game Lillard say out. Portland has won eight of the past 11 meetings with Utah and let's make that nine of 12 with a cover in tonight's opener. Portland is an 8* play.
Utah: After finishing ninth in the West last season, the Jazz made three veteran offseason acquisitions, PG George Hill, swingman Joe Johnson and all-purpose forward Boris Diaw, to a young nucleus that includes front-liners Gordon Hayward (19.7-5.0-3.7), Derrick Favors (16.4-8.1) and Rudy Gobert (9.1-11.0). However, the team's best player (Hayward), will miss the game with a broken left ring finger plus Favors and reserve guard Alec Burks will likely miss the game with knee issues. That means Diaw and Johnson will likely team with Gobert on the front line in a Utah starting lineup that will include Hill and Hood (14.5 PPG) in the backcourt.
Portland: Damian Lillard had his best season in 2015-16, joining James, Curry and Westbrook as the only players to place among the league's top 10 in scoring (25.1, sixth) and assists (6.8, eighth) during the regular season. "I want to get to the Western Conference finals and give ourselves a chance to get to the (NBA) Finals," said Lillard, who is joined in the backcourt by C.J. McCollum (20.8 PPG & 4.2 APG). That duo led Portland to revamp quickly last season after losing mainstay LaMarcus Aldridge as a free agent. Al-Farouq Aminu (10.2 & 6.1) and Maurice Harkless (6.4 & 3.6) will open the season as the starting forwards with Mason Plumlee (9.1 & 7.7) back as the center.
The pick: The Jazz are missing too many key ‘pieces' in the opener to deal with Lillard and McCollum, who combined for 426 three-pointers last season (Lillard ranked fourth in the NBA with 229). Offseason additions such as swingman Evan Turner and center Festus Ezeli were brought in to fortify a bench that includes swingman Allen Crabbe (10.3) and forward/center Meyers Leonard (8.4 & 5.1). The Blazers were 3-1 against the Jazz last season, losing only in a game Lillard say out. Portland has won eight of the past 11 meetings with Utah and let's make that nine of 12 with a cover in tonight's opener. Portland is an 8* play.
