On The Road Again, and Looking For 14th Straight Win In Utah Today

The Utah Jazz were one of the top teams in the Western Conference last year, but this year they've struggled.

Courtesy: Portland Trailblazers

PORTLAND, Ore. - For the second time this year, the Trail Blazers have become the hottest story in the NBA. Earier this year, Portland made headlines when against all odds they won the rights to the number 1 draft pick, and selected 19 year old Greg Oden.

This time around they have created buzz for going on a 13 game winning streak, and remarkably the number one pick hasn't had anything to do with it. As everyone already knows, Oden has been sidelined all season after undergoing microfracture surgery, and all expectations for the Trail Blazers this season plummeted. Yet the team has managed to become the hottest in the NBA right now, as last year's rookie of the year Brandon Roy has taken the spotlight and led the team to the second largest streak in franchise history.

The Utah Jazz were one of the top teams in the Western Conference last year, but this year they have struggled, and are now at the .500 mark with a 16-16 record.

Portland has already met with Utah twice this season, once at home and once on their court, and Portland captured the win both times. Despite Utah's struggles this season, beating the 3rd ranking Northwest team is easier said than done, and the Jazz will undoubtedly be seeking revenge. They also will be looking to bounce back after a 2 game losing streak, falling to the Lakers on Friday and the Celtics on Saturday.

Portland is coming straight from a home game win against the 76ers Sunday, so Utah will be using their day off to their advantage, being well rested and fueled by their home crowd.

Last time Utah and Portland went head to head Carlos Boozer posed the biggest threat, scoring 22 points in that match-up. It will be important for Portland to maintain a strong defense on the leading Utah scorer, because much as the case tends to be with Portland and Brandon Roy, when Boozer struggles, his team struggles.

Portland must also be prepared for the inevitable double teaming on Roy, as the guard scored 29 on the Jazz last time they met, and they do not want to see that happen again.

Kyle Korver has also just been added to the Jazz roster in a trade with the 76ers, and Utah are hoping that he may just be the missing link in the team's success. If Korver debuts for Utah on Monday LaMarcus Aldridge or Brandon Roy will have to keep tabs on him, making sure he doesn't get off his outside shots.

The game airs locally on KGW at 5:00 PM. Go Trail Blazers!

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