With limited personnel, the Blazers played the Jazz to the final seconds, before a missed goaltending call on an attempted Damian Lillard layup tipped the scales in a 117-114 Utah victory. Lillard’s 42 points were nearly enough.
And Then There Were Seven. With Hassan Whiteside and Nas Little ruled out, the Blazers were short-staffed at tip-off. But soon after, Simons left with the injury, and Trevor Ariza was ejected for arguing with the official.
No Rest For the Weary. Portland had a double-digit lead early, but as the game wore on, hands were on the knees, and shots were falling short.