Blazers slip past Jazz 96-91

Elsewhere, it was Wesley Matthews' first game in Salt Lake since he left the Utah Jazz for a five-year, $34 million US deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. Late in the first half, Deron Williams dribbled the length of the court before he pulled up to make a three point jumper.

The home team took a two point lead into halftime. In the second half, Wesley Matthews received a pass, drove to the basket and scored on a six foot jump shot over the Utah defenders.

At the end of the third quarter, the Jazz rallied to tie the game at 66. Point guard Williams drove toward the basket before passing the ball to a wide open team mate. Williams then tried his luck again when he drove to the basket. Again he passed out to a team mate, but on this occasion Raja Bell would make a three point basket to tie the game at 66. The game entered the fourth quarter all square.

In the fourth, Portland Andre Miller passed the ball to LaMarcus Aldridge and cut to the basket. Aldridge found Miller with a pass and Miller made the easy layup. 83-76, and Portland never looked back.

With less than two minutes left in the game, Aldridge received the ball down low, took a couple of dribbles before he made the jump shot. Portland finally halted a four-game road losing streak and won their first against the Jazz in six attempts with a 96-91 victory.