Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel

The Portland Trail Blazers are favored to win Friday night against the Utah Jazz.

It’s an unusual occurrence, to be sure. But not unexpected. The Jazz (4-17) are not good.

Utah ranks 26th in offensive rating (108.8) and 29th in defensive rating (119.0) for a net rating of minus-10.3 (28th). The Blazers are at minus-8.1 (27th).

However, the Jazz rank sixth in offensive rebounding percentage (32.8%). Defensive rebounding is a weak spot for the Blazers, who rank last in defensive rebounding percentage (65.6%).

The Jazz have lost five consecutive games. Their biggest problem has been Lauri Markkanen’s poor shooting. He appeared in four of those recent losses and shot 38.7% from the field and 23.5% from three-point range while averaging 17.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Prediction: The Blazers got this. The Jazz appear very interested in getting a shot at landing Duke freshman forward Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA draft. The Blazers want the same thing but, so far, have been playing their way out of having a realistic shot. Teams such as the Jazz and Washington (2-17) are off to a better start toward finishing at the bottom.

BLAZER FOCUSED PODCAST

Be sure to check out the latest episode of the Blazer Focused podcast with Craig Birnbach. We reviewed the first quarter of the season.

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PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. UTAH JAZZ

What: Trail Blazers (8-14) vs. Jazz (4-17), 7 p.m., Friday.

Where: Moda Center.

Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).

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

b>How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 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 buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here.

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ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)

Moneyline: POR -142 | UTA +125

Spread: POR -2.5 | Over/Under: 225.5

INJURIES

Blazers: Scoot Henderson (left quad contusion) is questionable. Donovan Clingan (left knee sprain), Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) and Robert Williams III (concussion protocol) are out.

Jazz: Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fasciitis) and Taylor Hendricks (right fibula fracture) are out.

NEXT UP

The Blazers play at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Los Angeles Lakers (12-10)

— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)