PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — The Portland Trail Blazers used a dominant first half to secure a 137-117 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night at Moda Center. Portland built a commanding 78-57 halftime lead behind a prolific offensive start, scoring 36 points in the first quarter and 42 in the second. The Jazz, despite a 34-point fourth quarter, could not overcome the early deficit. Deni Avdija led a balanced Trail Blazers attack. Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan provided key support for Portland, which improved to 17-20. Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic paced the Jazz, who fell to 12-23. Utah has lost three straight games. Attendance was 16,785.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a blistering first-half offensive display, the Portland Trail Blazers built an insurmountable lead and cruised to a 137-117 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night at Moda Center. A crowd of 16,785 watched as the Trail Blazers, fueled by a dominant second quarter, improved to 17-20 on the season. The Jazz, unable to match Portland’s early firepower, fell to 12-23, extending a recent skid. The most pivotal stretch of the contest arrived in the second quarter, where Portland effectively decided the outcome. After leading 36-26 through one period, the Trail Blazers erupted for 42 points in the second, relentlessly attacking a porous Utah defense. The quarter featured a devastating 17-4 run that transformed a 47-42 lead into a 64-46 advantage, punctuated by a Deni Avdija 3-pointer with 6:21 remaining in the half. Portland’s ball movement was crisp, their shooting was scorching, and they repeatedly capitalized on Utah turnovers to fuel their transition game. By halftime, the Trail Blazers had amassed a staggering 78 points, leading by 20. Utah’s 57-point first-half total, which would be respectable under normal circumstances, was rendered irrelevant by Portland’s historic offensive output over the first 24 minutes. The Jazz never recovered from that deficit, despite outscoring Portland 34-23 in a frantic but ultimately meaningless fourth quarter. Avdija, the forward from Beit Zera, Israel, was the engine for Portland, orchestrating the offense with precision and scoring from all levels. He consistently broke down Utah’s defense, creating easy opportunities for himself and his teammates. His all-around performance set the tone for the Blazers’ fluid offensive attack. He was complemented by a sharp-shooting backcourt. Guard Shaedon Sharpe provided explosive scoring bursts, while Caleb Love chipped in with timely baskets, particularly during the decisive second-quarter run. Center Donovan Clingan anchored the interior, contributing defensively and stretching the floor with his shooting. For Utah, center Jusuf Nurkic of Tuzla, Bosnia, was a bright spot, battling inside for efficient scoring. Forward Lauri Markkanen of Vantaa, Finland, worked for his points, and rookie guard Isaiah Collier showed flashes of playmaking off the bench. However, the Jazz defense had no answers for Portland’s multifaceted assault, especially in the first half where the Trail Blazers shot a remarkable percentage from the field and from beyond the arc. The game’s opening moments were deceptive, as the teams traded baskets before Portland began to seize control late in the first quarter. A technical free throw by Markkanen and a deep 3-pointer from Sharpe at the first-quarter buzzer gave the Blazers a 10-point lead and foreshadowed the onslaught to come. The second quarter was a masterclass in offensive execution from Portland. They shot over 70% from the field during the period, assisting on nearly every basket and committing few turnovers. Every time Utah showed a hint of momentum, the Trail Blazers responded with a quick-hitting series of scores, often from 3-point range, to extinguish any hope of a rally. The second half saw Portland maintain its comfortable margin. The Jazz, to their credit, continued to compete, with Collier and Brice Sensabaugh providing energy. A 9-0 Utah run early in the fourth quarter briefly cut the lead to 16, prompting a Portland timeout, but the Blazers quickly re-established order. Back-to-back buckets from Toumani Camara and a critical 3-pointer from Sidy Cissoko of Saint-Maurice, France, pushed the lead back over 20 and allowed Portland to coast to the finish with reserves on the floor. The Trail Blazers finished the night well above their season scoring average, while the Jazz, despite scoring 117 points, were never truly competitive after the first quarter. The loss marks Utah’s fourth in a row, while Portland has now won three of its last four games. According to the National Statistical ELO system, Portland entered the game with a 78.2% probability to win. The Trail Blazers also covered the pregame spread of -5.5. The combined score of 254 points went under the over/under line of 243.5. Portland next hosts the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Utah continues its road trip against the Oklahoma City Thunder, also on Wednesday.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — The Portland Trail Blazers will look to build on a statement win and extend the Utah Jazz’s road struggles when the teams meet Monday night at Moda Center. Portland (15-20) enters having won four of its last six, including a convincing 122-109 victory at New Orleans on Friday. Forward Deni Avdija has been the catalyst, averaging 26.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists over his last 10 games. His recent run includes a 34-point, 11-assist performance against the Pelicans. Utah (12-21) seeks to halt a two-game skid and improve a 5-12 road record. The Jazz are coming off a 118-101 loss at the LA Clippers on Thursday. Forward Kyle Anderson, a player to watch for Utah, led the team with 22 points and eight rebounds in that defeat. His production has been variable, following a two-assist outing against Dallas on Dec. 15 with his more robust showing against the Clippers. The Jazz have lost seven of their last 10 games overall, with defense a persistent issue. They have allowed an average of 129.7 points in their last three losses. Portland’s offense, spearheaded by Avdija’s all-around play and supported by center Donovan Clingan’s interior presence, will test that vulnerable unit. Portland won the season’s first meeting 136-134 in Utah on Oct. 29. The Trail Blazers have won three straight in the series. Following this game, Utah begins a four-game road trip with a visit to Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Portland continues a three-game homestand, hosting Houston on Wednesday.