The Utah Jazz host the Portland Trail Blazers on February 24, 2025, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET. The Jazz hold a 14-42 record, sitting at 14th in the Western Conference, while the Trail Blazers are 24-33 and in 13th place. These teams last met on December 26, with Portland pulling out a close 122-120 victory at home.
Both teams are coming off impressive wins over the weekend. Portland snapped a four-game losing streak with a 141-88 win over Charlotte, setting a franchise record for the largest margin of victory. Utah pulled off an upset against Houston, winning 124-115 with a strong fourth-quarter performance. While neither team is in a great position in the standings, both showed flashes of potential in their latest outings.
The game is significant for the Trail Blazers as they try to keep their slim hopes of reaching the play-in tournament alive. For the Jazz, wins may not help their draft lottery odds, but the young team continues to show growth and development under coach Will Hardy. Both teams are 1-1 in their season series, adding a bit of intrigue to this late-season matchup.
Utah Jazz Preview – Can the Young Core Shine Again?
The Utah Jazz surprised many with their 124-115 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday. The Jazz outscored Houston 33-22 in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Keyonte George led the charge with 30 points off the bench, hitting 10-of-17 shots, including five three-pointers.
Other young players contributed as well. Rookie Isaiah Collier posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists, while Walker Kessler controlled the boards with 17 rebounds to go along with 11 points. Lauri Markkanen added 23 points and 10 rebounds, providing veteran stability to the youthful lineup.
The Jazz have struggled at home this season, holding a 7-20 record at the Delta Center. However, the team has shown improvement lately. Coach Will Hardy emphasized the need for mental toughness and consistent effort. Against Portland, the Jazz will need to bring the same intensity they showed against Houston to compete against a Blazers team still fighting for postseason life.
Portland Trail Blazers Preview – Can the Blazers Keep Rolling?
Portland’s 141-88 win over the Charlotte Hornets was nothing short of historic. The Blazers shot 58.6 percent from the field and made 20-of-43 three-pointers (46.5 percent). Defensively, they held Charlotte to just 34.7 percent shooting and 15.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Anfernee Simons led the Blazers with 25 points, including five three-pointers. Toumani Camara had a strong all-around game with 20 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. Jabari Walker also contributed with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Shaedon Sharpe added 20 points off the bench.
Despite their poor overall record, the Blazers have a shot at reaching the play-in tournament. They are currently chasing the Sacramento Kings for the final spot. A win against Utah could build momentum for a late-season push. Portland’s offense will need to stay hot, and their defense must keep the young Jazz players in check.
Betting Prediction
The odds for this game have not been set, but Portland should come in as the favorite. The Blazers have shown they can dominate weaker opponents, as seen in their blowout win against Charlotte. Utah’s young team is capable of pulling off surprises, but their inconsistency and poor home record make them a risky bet.
Portland’s balanced scoring and strong shooting performance against Charlotte suggest they could continue that form against a Jazz defense that ranks near the bottom of the league. Expect the Trail Blazers to win and cover the spread, with a predicted score of Portland 118, Utah 105.
Pick: Portland Trail Blazers -1 over Utah Jazz
