The Utah Jazz secured a commanding 141-99 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, snapping a five-game losing streak. John Collins led the charge with 20 points, while Walker Kessler delivered a standout performance with 13 points, 17 rebounds, and five blocks.
Utah’s dominance was evident from the start, as they opened the game with a 38-20 lead and extended their advantage to 67-44 by halftime. Keyonte George contributed 17 points, and all five Jazz starters finished in double figures before the third quarter ended.
The Blazers struggled throughout, trailing by as many as 46 points and facing boos from the home crowd. Jerami Grant paced Portland with 19 points, but their offensive woes, including a 14-of-47 showing from beyond the arc, left them with no chance to compete.
Portland’s night was further hampered by injuries. Toumani Camara exited in the first quarter with a right foot injury, while Scoot Henderson missed his fifth consecutive game due to a left quad contusion. The absence of key players added to the Trail Blazers’ struggles.
Lauri Markkanen was a late scratch for the Jazz due to lower back injury management, but Svi Mykhailiuk stepped up with 13 points and eight rebounds in his absence. Johnny Juzang also made an impact off the bench, scoring 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including six three-pointers.
Defensively, Utah controlled the paint and the glass, finishing with a 61-34 rebounding edge. Their defense held Portland to just 38.9% shooting from the field, forcing the Blazers into rushed shots and poor offensive execution.
Anfernee Simons reached a career milestone for the Blazers, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to make over 800 three-pointers. However, his individual achievement was overshadowed by the team’s overall performance.
A highlight moment came late in the third quarter when Collin Sexton found Collins for an emphatic dunk, pushing Utah’s lead to 90-59. The play ignited Utah’s bench and silenced the crowd at Moda Center.
Portland’s third straight loss highlighted their defensive lapses and inability to keep pace offensively. Rookie Kris Murray offered a bright spot with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting off the bench, but his contributions were not enough to spark a comeback.
