There is no need to countdown how many days are left before the season starts. This is the day in which NBA is returning to the fans, and they are excited all over the world. Utah and Portland won’t be on the national TV on Tuesday night like the other two games, but this is still a highly interesting duel between two playoff contenders who are trying to make a statement on opening night.
Utah Jazz will be without Gordon Hayward in the first couple of rounds. That is a tough blow for this Jazz team. Still, they are deep enough and have good enough bench to make up for that loss at the start of the year. Depth is one of their biggest strengths this season and they will have the chance to show that in Portland. George Hill will start at point guard for the first time as a member of the Jazz, while Diaw will make his debut coming off the bench. Joe Johnson might start for Hayward as well.
Damian Lillard will be the candidate for MVP award this year and his season starts tonight at home. CJ McColloum is coming off a career year, and it’s interesting to see if he can keep playing at a high level. A lot is expected from Evan Turner who is their biggest offseason signee.
We think Utah will play well to start the season, but Portland will win this game. They will make a small fourth quarter comeback and end up victorious on the opening night. Lillard will go for over 30 points in this match, and the final score will be 98:90.
