The Utah Jazz claimed a 132-129 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in a preseason matchup at the Delta Center on Thursday. Utah improved to 1-3, while Portland fell to 1-3 as both teams looked to finalize rotations ahead of the regular season.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 15 points, adding 3 rebounds and 5 assists in 21 minutes. Walker Kessler contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Keyonte George added 20 points with 2 steals in 26 minutes. Kyle Filipowski chipped in 9 points and 2 assists, and Svi Mykhailiuk finished with 15 points, including five 3-pointers.
Portland was paced by Jerami Grant’s 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Jrue Holiday recorded 24 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds, and Shaedon Sharpe added 20 points and 3 rebounds. Deni Avdija scored 8 points with 3 assists, and Donovan Clingan contributed 9 points and 10 rebounds.
The Jazz jumped to an early lead, outscoring Portland 34-32 in the first quarter, but the Trail Blazers rallied in the second to stay close, trailing 60-58 at halftime. Utah pulled away in the third with a 43-point quarter, building a five-point lead heading into the final period. The teams traded baskets in the fourth, but the Jazz held on behind strong free-throw shooting and defensive rebounds.
Utah finished with 50 points in the paint and 19 fast-break points, while Portland had 36 points in the paint and 9 fast-break points. The Jazz shot 47.7% from the field, hitting 14 of 38 3-pointers, and made 36 of 43 free throws. Portland converted 44.4% of shots overall, including 21 of 54 from three-point range, and 28 of 34 free throws. Utah also forced 29 turnovers compared to 13 for Portland.
Key absences shaped the contest. Portland was without Damian Lillard, Robert Williams III, Scoot Henderson, and Matisse Thybulle. Utah rested Oscar Tshiebwe, Ace Bailey, and Walter Clayton Jr., while Isaiah Collier and Kevin Love also did not play.
