Lillard, McCollum Too Much, Jazz Fall In Final Regular Season Home Game

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum were too much for the Utah Jazz to handle as the Portland Trail Blazers picked up a 105-98 win.

While the Jazz missed their starting backcourt, Portland’s backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined for 56 points in the win. Lillard had 30 points for the sixth straight game, while McCollum finished with 26.

Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 29 points off the bench. Rudy Gobert added a double-double with 15 points and 20 rebounds. Joe Ingles poured in 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell were out with injuries once again. Mitchell has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season.

The @utahjazz fall the @trailblazers 105-98.

Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz with 29 points but the Jazz never felt close after half time.

Jazz have to win their next two to guarantee the top spot in the West. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/Ap3Gum3TFR

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 13, 2021

C.J. McCollum Takes Over In Second Quarter Against Jazz

The first quarter was a very good one for the Jazz as they outscored the Blazers 31-24 that was capped off with a four-point play by Jordan Clarkson. Damian Lillard had 11 points in the quarter for the Blazers.

Lillard’s backcourt mate C.J. McCollum was tremendous for Portland in the second quarter, dropping 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field and 1-for-1 from the three-point line. He and Carmelo Anthony combined for 21 of their 35 second quarter points. The Jazz made just 36 percent of their field goals in the second and Clarkson scored 8 to lead the way. Bojan Bogdanovic added 7 points.

McCollum hit a midrange fadeaway jumper off of a cross court pass by Jusuf Nurkic at the buzzer to give Portland a 59-56 halftime lead. Lillard and McCollum combined for 33 of their 59 points. Clarkson, Bogdanovic and Gobert scored a combined 38 points in the first half.

The @utahjazz survive the @trailblazers big second quarter but trail 59-56.

CJ McCollum has 17 points to lead all scorers. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/1zvNIFNwA6

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 13, 2021

Blazers Pull Away In Second Half To Beat Jazz

The start of the third quarter wasn’t great for Utah as they struggled hitting the three-point shots. Portland jumped out to an 11-7 advantage in the quarter and was up by seven points with 6:43 left.

Portland finished the third quarter strong, outscoring Utah 25-20 and held an 84-76 lead entering the fourth. Lillard had 10 points to lead the Blazers. The Jazz struggled, hitting just 31 percent from the field. Joe Ingles had five points and that was the most scored by a Utah player in the third.

After three the @trailblazers lead the @utahjazz 84-76.

The azz appear to be running out of gas, scoring 31 points in the first, 25 in the second, and just 20 in the third quarter.

12 minutes left. #Takenote pic.twitter.com/5sTQY4lzW0

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 13, 2021

The gas tanks for both teams seemed to be on empty to start the fourth quarter as they scored a combined 13 points in the first six minutes. Portland was up 92-81 at the midway point of the fourth.

From that point, Portland coasted to the win.

The Jazz dropped their record to 50-20 on the season. They will play their final two regular season games on the road beginning in Oklahoma City on Friday, May 14. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. MDT and will be televised on AT&T SportsNet.