Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel, how to watch free live stream online

Portland Trail Blazers v Utah Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - DECEMBER 02: Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots over Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of a game at Delta Center on December 02, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)Getty Images

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The Portland Trail Blazers will play their fourth and final game of the season against the Utah Jazz Thursday night at the Moda Center.

And for the first time this season, the Blazers find themselves favored entering a game. Granted, it’s by just 1.5 points, but a fledgling team must start someplace.

Yes, the Blazers were listed as underdogs entering their first 22 games of the season and that includes three against Utah. Most recently, Utah was a 1.5-point favorite against the Blazers at home on Dec. 2 and won 118-113.

Prior to that, the Jazz were a 3.5-point favorite in Portland on Nov. 22 but lost 121-105. Utah entered its Nov. 14 home game against the Blazers as seven-point favorites and won 115-99.

The Jazz on Thursday will be playing the second of a back-to-back after winning 117-113 at home against the New York Knicks (13-10).

Lauri Markkanen missed the most recent meeting with the Blazers and the Jazz still managed to win. He had 23 points and eight rebounds against the Knicks.

Prediction: Deandre Ayton and Malcolm Brogdon could return for the Blazers and they should provide enough veteran leadership to pull out a home victory. Should one or both not play, the Blazers would still have a great chance to win given that the Jazz could be fatigued.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. UTAH JAZZ

What: Trail Blazers (6-16) vs. Jazz (8-16), 7 p.m., Thursday.

Where: Moda Center.

Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).

TV channel: Root Sports PLUS (in Portland: Comcast 1253; DirecTV: 688).

Watch the game live online: You can watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial). You can also get this game on DirecTV Stream’s “CHOICE” package (promotional offers), if you are out of fuboTV trials, or simply prefer that platform and their pricing plans. If you already have a cable or satellite provider that carries Root Sports and want to watch online, you can watch this game live on Root Sports Live.

ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)

Moneyline: POR -120 | UTA +100

Spread: POR -1.5 | Over/Under: 229.5

INJURIES

Blazers: Malcolm Brogdon (right knee soreness) and Deandre Ayton (right knee tendinitis) are questionable. Jerami Grant (concussion protocol) and Robert Williams III (season-ending right knee surgery) are out.

Jazz: Not available.

NEXT UP

The Blazers host Dallas at 6 p.m. Saturday.

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