----- Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 20 points and 17 rebounds and Donovan Mitchell added 20 points and five assists as the Utah Jazz overwhelmed the Portland Trail Blazers 120-100 Wednesday night at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
The Trail Blazers new defense looked a lot like the old on Wednesday night as Utah handed Portland a 120-100 loss on opening night at Moda Center.
The Utah Jazz opened the game on fire from the field as they connected on 13 of their 28 three-pointers in the first half racing to a 65-44 lead. Donovan Mitchell led all scorers in the first 24 minutes of action with 15 minutes while Damian Lillard was scoreless at halftime on 0-for-5 shooting.
The Jazz were two-steps ahead of the Blazers all night finishing the night with a 59-40 rebounding edge including a 12-6 advantage on the offensive glass leading to 17 second-chance points.
Utah connected on 45.7% of their shots including 19-of-50 from beyond-the-arc.
The numbers were troubling for Portland considering how much effort went into improving the defense and rebounding during the shortened off-season.
“I told the team we have to get better,” Coach Terry Stotts said. “It's about us right now. Any NBA season, you worry about your opponent, and you prepare for your opponent, but right now we gotta get better.”
CJ McCollum led Portland with 23 points, Carmelo Anthony added 15, and Enes Kanter scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Damian Lillard finished with nine points on 4-of-12 shooting.
Wednesday was the first game for Portland newcomers Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. Both players started the game for the Blazers. Jones Jr. had a good night connecting on 3-of-5 from three-point range. Covington was 0-for-3 from the field scoring just one point.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers will face the Houston Rockets Saturday night at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Coach Stotts might switch back to his old defense by the time Houston arrives for Saturday's game.