Jordan Clarkson and the Utah Jazz got off to a winning start in the new NBA season after crushing the Portland Trail Blazers, 120-100, on Wednesday, December 23 (Thursday, December 24, Manila time).

Seven players scored in double figures for the Jazz, led by the trio of Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and Mike Conley who accounted for almost half of their scoring output.

Gobert proved he is worth the five-year, $205 million contract he recently signed with the Jazz after delivering 20 points on a healthy 8-of-10 shooting to go with 17 rebounds.

Mitchell also had 20 points and 5 assists, while Conley put up 18 points in the win that saw the Jazz build a 65-44 halftime lead and never looked back.

Clarkson and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 15 points apiece and combined for 13 rebounds, Joe Ingles chimed in 14 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Derrick Favors contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds.

CJ McCollum led the Blazers with 23 points and 4 rebounds, but his running mate Damian Lillard struggled with just 9 points on a dismal 4-of-12 shooting in 34 minutes.

Lillard had been one of the hottest players in the previous season – at one stretch averaging more than 50 points. But the first half against the Jazz saw him go scoreless for the first time in 6 seasons.

Now embracing an off-the-bench role, Carmelo Anthony scored 15 points in the losing effort. – Rappler.com