Game 51: Jazz 118, Blazers 105

Remember last year when we used to compete with the Utah Jazz? You know, we win at our place and they win at their place. Tough, down to the wire games. That hasn't been the case in three games against the Jazz this year.

Despite Portland's injury situation, they've been able to compete with, and sometimes beat, the best teams in the league. But every single game against Utah has been a joke. Tonight, it was more of the same as the Jazz shot 62.7 percent from the field and beat the Blazers convincingly once again, 118 to 105.

Although the end result tonight was the same as the previous games against Utah, it started out different. I remember feeling blindsided during each of the first two games. I was barely able to settle into my viewing station before Utah took a 32-17 first quarter lead back in November and began the game last week on a 21-2 run.

The common denominator in both of those beat-downs was Carlos Boozer, who averaged 20 and nine in those games but did not play tonight. Initially I felt there was an inkling of hope with him inactive tonight, but alas, our losses at the hands of Utah are about much more than Carlos Boozer dominating the paint.

The real reason we're getting abused by Utah is defense. Granted, we don't have either of our centers, but Portland just has no answers for a team with a highly skilled, dual threat point guard who is not only capable of scoring but even worse, finding his open teammate.

I swear every one of these games goes the same way at one point. Utah is passing, making the extra pass, guys are cutting, and viola someone is open right at the rim. Half the time Portland looks disoriented, shocked or just plain indifferent on defense.

The Blazers should know by now that they can't play catch up against this Jazz team. Utah has now shot over 60 percent against Portland in each of the three games this season, a truly astonishing statistic that can't just be blamed on "hot shooting."

Realistically, it's just another game and a team that frankly can't be beat without Brandon Roy and at least one of our centers. We can accept that, right? I guess I will for now.

Portland just needs to shake it off and get ready for San Antonio tomorrow. The Spurs haven't exactly been torching teams, and the Blazers have beaten them twice this year already, but they still pose a major threat. They'll come to Portland ready to play with or without Brandon Roy and it won't be easy for the Blazers. Short-term memory loss and fresh legs will get us through the season!

Box Score

Bad team defense, bad man to man defense, just bad all around. Allowing Okur to dominate. Plain and simple, keep him out of the paint. Losing the assist battle 32 to 17. Utah moves the ball well, we simply do not. Early on, I recall multiple bonehead or bad plays by Martell and Steve Blake.	LaMarcus put up big numbers and got to the line a lot. More of that please. Martell seemed to get his stroke back to some extent. Batum was stellar in his limited action, why no PT for the Frenchman? Bayless was active at times, trying to make plays. That's a good thing in a game like this one.