Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz: Game preview, time, TV channel, how to watch free live stream online

The Portland Trail Blazers ’ best opportunities to secure a victory between now and Dec. 21 could come in their next three games against the Utah Jazz starting Wednesday night at the Moda Center.

The Blazers, who lost at Utah last week, host the Jazz (4-10) on Wednesday, play at Utah on Dec. 2 and then on Dec. 14 host the Jazz again.

All other opponents along the way are simply better than the Blazers (3-11). Portland will face Milwaukee (10-4), Indiana (8-5), Cleveland (8-6), the LA Clippers (5-7), Dallas (9-5), Golden State (7-8) and Phoenix (8-6) before hosting Washington (2-11) on Dec. 21 in what will be an exceedingly winnable game.

The Jazz have lost three consecutive games since defeating the Blazers including a 131-99 debacle Tuesday at the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Jazz looked good in two close losses to the Suns leading up to facing the Lakers.

Portland was without Malcolm Brogdon during the 115-99 loss at Utah. He returned Tuesday against the Suns and the team’s offense greatly improved. The Blazers will need to click on offense because for all of the Jazz’s issues, they can score.

Utah ranks ninth in points per game (115.6). Holding the Jazz back is a 119.2 defensive rating, which ranks 26th.

Prediction: Both teams will play the second game of a back-to-back with the Blazers, due for a victory, having the advantage of playing at home. Brogdon said he felt good about the improvement the team showed during Tuesday’s loss at Phoenix.

“I think we need to play with even more effort, more energy tomorrow in front of our fans,” Brogdon told reporters in Phoenix. “We’re playing a good Utah team, but it’s a team we can beat. So, we need to go in there and act like it.”

Utah will once again be without center Walker Kessler, making their defense more vulnerable inside. That worked out well for Blazers center Deandre Ayton during the first meeting when he scored a season-high 22 points at the Jazz.

Factor in the return of Brogdon and this sets up as the perfect situation for the Blazers to halt their losing streak at eight games.

What: Trail Blazers (3-11) vs. Jazz (4-10), 7 p.m., Wednesday.

Where: Moda Center.

Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).

TV channel: Root Sports PLUS (in Portland: Comcast 1253; DirecTV: 688).

Watch the game live online: You can watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial). You can also get this game on DirecTV Stream’s “CHOICE” package (promotional offers), if you are out of fuboTV trials, or simply prefer that platform and their pricing plans. If you already have a cable or satellite provider that carries Root Sports and want to watch online, you can watch this game live on Root Sports Live .

(Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)

Moneyline: POR +124 | UTA -148

Spread: POR +3 | Over/Under:

Blazers:Scoot Henderson (right ankle sprain) status uncertain. Hasn’t played since Nov. 1.; Anfernee Simons (right thumb ligament tear), Ish Wainright (right calf strain) and Robert Williams III (right knee) are out.

Jazz: Walker Kessler (elbow)is out.

NEXT UP

The Blazers play at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Milwaukee (10-4).

- Aaron Fentress | | (Twitter), (Instagram), (Facebook)