Just last year, the two franchises went back and forth for the Northwest Division crown until the final game of the regular season. The Blazers ultimately took the divisional crown for 2017-18, winning at home 102-93.
Now a season later, both teams are looking to hold their places amongst the powers that be in the Western Conference. The Jazz currently sit at 15-17 and could use a big win against the Blazers to build off of their recent win against the Warriors. The Blazers, now 18-13, need a big win of their own. A home win against the Jazz would mark the fourth straight for a Portland squad looking keep distancing themselves from a rough couple of weeks out West.