Jazz Sweep Road Trip With Win Over Shorthanded Trail Blazers

SALT LAKE CITY – Rudy Gobert scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Utah Jazz knocked off the Portland Trail Blazers 120-105.

The Jazz were without Donovan Mitchell while the Trail Blazers were without a significant number of rotation players as the roster has been ravaged by injuries and the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols.

With the victory, the Jazz have won five straight games including a sweep of their two-game road trip.

First Quarter

The Jazz jumped out to a quick start, building a 14-2 lead as the Trail Blazers searched for ways to overcome their smaller size.

Rather than run their traditional offense, the Jazz pushed the ball into the post for opportunities at the rim by Rudy Gobert and Bojan Bogdanovic.

Gobzilla feasting early 🦖💪😤#TakeNote #UTAvsPOR @rudygobert27https://t.co/qGw1z0rlyR

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 30, 2021

Portland found some success on offense in the first quarter with Normal Powell who scored 12 points on 4-6 shooting.

After one, the Jazz led the Trail Blazers 36-27, led by Bogdanovic who had nine points.

Second Quarter

The Jazz shot a blistering 61 percent in the first half and saw a breakout performance from Rudy Gay who scored 14 points on 6-7 shooting.

Portland meanwhile has been carried by Powell who upped his total to 25 points in the first half on 8-12 shooting including 3-5 from the floor.

The French Rejection on display 🇫🇷🖐#TakeNote #UTAvsPORhttps://t.co/XV8crkYf7G

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 30, 2021

The Jazz were in the penalty over the final 10 minutes of the second quarter but attempted just seven free throws in the period.

At the break, the Jazz led Portland 69-59.

Third Quarter

The Blazers were able to trim the Jazz lead to just six midway through the third quarter but were unable to keep pace as their hot shooting dried up in the second half.

After knocking down 10 first half threes, Portland shot just 2-10 in the third quarter and saw the Jazz rebuild their double-digit lead.

The Jazz bench outscored the Blazers’ 16-5 in the third quarter thanks to seven points from Hassan Whiteside.

After three, the Jazz led the Trail Blazers 96-82.

Fourth Quarter

Gobert played a major role in putting the Trail Blazers away with a huge start to the fourth quarter building the Jazz lead to 20 points for the first time of the night.

After a dominant first half, Powell managed just seven second half points and couldn’t keep the Blazers connected late in the game.

.@rudygobert27 took over @ModaCenter in the fourth quarter. 👀💪#TakeNote #UTAvsPORhttps://t.co/jyUE33Th8N

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 30, 2021

Six Jazz players scored at least 15 points in a strong performance throughout the roster, led by 22 points from Gobert.

The Jazz won their fifth straight with a 120-105 win over Portland.

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