Two teams coming off losses in their previous preseason games will try to again find success when the Utah Jazz host the Portland Trail Blazers today, Monday, at the EnergySolutions Arena.
The Jazz started their preseason with back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Lakers in Hawaii, but their victory train was derailed by the Phoenix Suns who defeated them 101–85 last Friday.
Leading Utah was guard Gordon Hayward who scored 24 points, together with four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
Following him was forward Derrick Favors who scored 13 points, also having seven rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block.
Meanwhile, the Blazers were handed their second defeat of the preseason by the Sacramento Kings who edged them 94–90.
Guard C.J. McCollum paced Portland, exploding for 30 points, also having four assists and one steal.
McCollum started in place of All-Star point guard Damian Lillard who sat out his first preseason game this 2015.
Blazers forwards Allen Crabbe and Al-Farouq Aminu added 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the loss.
The defeat to the Kings was already the second for the Blazers who already lost to the same team in their preseason opener before scoring a huge win over defending champions the Golden State Warriors.
Portland is searching for rhythm and chemistry after losing four key players who were also their starters from last season during this year's offseason.
These players were guard Wesley Matthews, forwards Nicolas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge, and center Robin Lopez.
The game between the Blazers and Jazz today will be the first of a two-game series as both teams will again face each other on Sunday, Oct. 18, and that game will be held at Moda Center.
Monday's matchup between the two Western Conference teams will be played today, Oct. 12, at 9:00 p.m. EST. To watch via live stream, click here.
