Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers, Picks, Prediction, Odds and Line Movement, Monday, January 5, 2026
Use Code WWWC Two young Western Conference teams met on Monday night in this Jazz vs. Trail Blazers prediction. Utah (12-22) is near the bottom of the conference, while Portland (16-20) is ranked ninth, which would place them in the play-in game if the season ended today. These teams met once this season, with Portland winning 136-134 on Oct. 29 in Salt Lake City as a 3-point favorite. This time, the Trail Blazers are 5.5-point favorites with the total set at 244.0. They'll meet at 10pmET on Monday night from the Moda Center. Check out more free NBA predictions and big college basketball picks at Winners and Whiners.
Struggles continue on the road
Utah comes into this game at 4-11 on the road after losing to Golden State 123-114 as a 12.5-point dog. They've lost three straight games overall and seven of their last nine. Unfortunately for the Jazz, it doesn't get any easier after playing Portland, as Oklahoma City comes up on Jan. 7 in the front end of a back-to-back with Dallas at home.
Lauri Markkanen scored 35 points on 15-of-27 shooting in their loss to Golden State. He's a player that most contenteders would love to have. A 7-footer who can shoot (27.9ppg), though he's known for his defense and rebounding (6.9rpg). Utah could also decide to build the team around Keyonte George (24.5ppg, 6.9apg) and add more draft picks. Unfortunately for the Jazz, this is basically a two-man team, especially after they lost center Walker Kessler (14.4ppg, 10.8ppg, 1.8bpg) after just five games due to a shoulder injury and he's out for the season.
Utah is also dealing with a hip injury to rookie Ace Bailey (10.4ppg), who hasn't played since Dec. 26. He could miss this game as well as C Jusuf Nurkic (toe), who missed the Warriors game. The Jazz are ranked 26th in Adjusted Net Rating according to DunksandThrees.com, 15th in Adjusted Offense, and 29th in Adjusted Defense.
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Has Portland turned it around?
It's too early to tell if the Trail Blazers are a player in the Western Conference, at least at the bottom tier. They're not in the class of Denver (with Nikola Jokic), Houston, San Antonio or OKC, but they've won four of their last five games and seem to be headed in the right direction despite suffering numerous injuries. In their last game, they upset the Spurs 115-110 on the road as an 8-point underdog. Victor Wembanyama (knee) did not play for San Antonio, but they were 10-3 without him coming into Saturday's game.
Guard Deni Avdija led the way with a triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, shooting 9 of 23 from the field. Center Donovan Clingan added 24 points and 12 rebounds. Avdija is having a career year with 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists, while shooting 46.5% from the field. Shaedon Sharpe adds 21.3 points and 4.4 rebounds, while shooting 44.6% from the field.
Injuries are still hampering the Blazers with veteran Jeremi Grant (Achilles) missing nine straight games and veteran guard Jrue Holiday (calf) starting to ramp up activities, but hasn't played since Nov. 14. According to DunksandThrees.com, Portland ranks 20th in Adjusted Net Rating, 20th in Adjusted Offense and 18th in Adjusted Defense.
Spread Picks and Prediction for Jazz vs. Trail Blazers
Jazz vs. Trail Blazers Odds, Picks and Prediction
- Utah +5.5 (4 units)
As long as George and Markkanen are on the floor, they have a chance to compete against most teams. Portland has the same record at home (7-9) as they do on the road (9-11), so it's not like it has a major edge at the Moda Center. Utah has covered seven straight in this series, including the one meeting this season. Portland is 2-4 ATS in their last six games at home. Expect them to have a slight letdown after beating the Spurs.
- Under 240.5 (4 units)
Portland has gone under in three straight and four of their last five. Utah has gone under in three of their last four games. Even though both teams want to push the ball, Utah shoots just 32.9% from the three-point line (29th) on the road. Portland also shoots just 45.1% (27th) from the field at home.
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