Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers Primer & Game Thread

The Utah Jazz are back in action on Monday night as the team tips off the 2016 preseason on the road against Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers.

It has arrived. The last time the Utah Jazz played an actual game was the Kobe Bryant debacle against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 13. Tonight, they return to the hardwood for their preseason opener, a road bout with Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Thank the basketball gods, the NBA has returned.

Now let’s be real here — this is the preseason, and we likely won’t learn much about how either team will perform come the regular season. Nevertheless, the preseason opener is an exciting event. Our own Jared Woodcox outlined four reasons why you should watch — go check that out now — but for me, the excitement can be summed up with one name.

Dante Exum.

After missing all of last season while he rehabbed from an ACL tear, the former No. 5 overall pick will be participating in his first significant game action in more than a year. What’s more, he faces a Blazers team that boasts one of the best backcourt players in the game in Lillard.

Of course, just how much we’ll actually see of them (let alone matched up on one another) remains to be seen. In last year’s first preseason contest against the Lakers, 13 Jazz players saw the court and none played more than 27 minutes. Look for head coach Quin Snyder to take a similar approach to this game.

The game will also give us our first glimpses of Joe Johnson, George Hill and Boris Diaw in Jazz uniforms. Again, minutes may be scarce, but how Snyder uses the new additions will be worth watching.

For Portland, I’m curious to see where Blazers coach Terry Stotts goes with the starting small forward spot. Moe Harkless started in the team’s last 11 games last season, while Allen Crabbe and Evan Turner are also options. I expect we’ll see Turner initially, but it will be a situation to monitor for the next several weeks.

Game Info

Projected Starting Lineups

Utah Jazz

PG: George Hill
SG: Rodney Hood
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: Derrick Favors
C: Rudy Gobert

Portland Trail Blazers

PG: Damian Lillard
SG: C.J. McCollum
SF: Evan Turner
PF: Al-Farouq Aminu
C: Mason Plumlee

Injuries

None to speak of for the Jazz officially; Alec Burks’ status is a bit up in the air. Meanwhile, the Blazers will be without center Festus Ezeli (knee). Jake Layman (shoulder), Meyers Leonard (shoulder) and Noah Vonleh (thigh) are not expected to play either.

Broadcast Info

Tip-off: 8 PM MT at Moda Center
TV: Root Sports and NBA TV
Radio: 97.5 FM/1280 AM The Zone in Salt Lake City

More from The J-Notes

• With the FIBA World Cup over for Simone Fontecchio, it’s clear he deserves minutes for the Utah Jazz
• Best, Worst and Most likely scenarios for the Utah Jazz this season
• Hoops Hype downplays the significance of the Utah Jazz’s valuable assets
• 3 Utah Jazz players who have the most to gain or lose this season
• Former Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gay is a free agent still and it shouldn’t surprise anyone

Prediction

The Blazers are 4.5 point favorites with the line set at 192.5 according to the Westgate Superbook. It’s the preseason, so it’s a pretty low-stakes situation for both teams, but I’m going to go with the Jazz and take the over for kicks.

Discussion

Hit us with your takes throughout the game in the comments below and look for some random thoughts on the live tweets @PurpleandBlues1.