The Portland Trail Blazers fell to the Utah Jazz 132-129 in the final game of the 2025 NBA preseason. Portland and Utah played a close game throughout, with neither team able to take a commanding lead at any point. In the end, it was a Svi Mykhailiuk three-pointer that put the Jazz in front for good with 21 seconds remaining.
Here are some observations from the preseason finale.
The Blazers were led in scoring by the 32 points of Jerami Grant and the 24 points from Jrue Holiday. The two veterans were a consistent source of offense, contributing impactful baskets throughout the night. After falling behind early in the second half, the steady scoring attack from the pair helped keep the Blazers close until they were finally able to take the lead back in the fourth quarter (though that small lead didn’t last).
Grant did a lot of his damage in the third quarter, where he had 12 points in the first six minutes of the frame. Those points were a major part of Portland’s ability to stay close to Utah, despite the Jazz ripping off 43 points that quarter. The pair was also Portland’s best source of three-point shooting against Utah. Grant shot 5-11 from deep, while Holiday went 6-9 from beyond the arc.
The difference in the foul column was jarring, to say the least. The Blazers committed 38 fouls, compared to just 21 from the Jazz. That gaudy total led to Yang Hansen and Kris Murray fouling out, and Donovan Clingan and Sidy Cissoko being not far behind with five fouls each. Despite the massive foul difference, Utah only shot nine more free throws than Portland, which translated into eight extra points. In a game this close, that margin mattered. However, it was much more balanced than the foul totals imply.
Chances Close to the Basket
The Blazers were outscored in the paint 50-36 by the Jazz, opting for a more outside-in offensive gameplan. Despite that, the offensive rebounding looked pretty good for Portland as they snagged 15 in the game, leading to 21 second-chance points. Donovan Clingan alone had five offensive rebounds. The ability of the Blazers to extend possessions allowed them to focus more on the perimeter and trust that there would be someone under the basket to clean up the misses.
Those aforementioned shots from deep came early and often in the contest. Portland ended the game with 21 makes on 54 attempts from deep in the game, good for 39% from range. The volume with which the Blazers attempted three-pointers could never quite overwhelm the Jazz, who were able to stay within striking distance all night and eventually overtake Portland in the final minute.
The Blazers are done with their preseason contests and now await their 2025-26 NBA season opener. That game will take place on Wednesday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m. PDT as the Minnesota Timberwolves come to Portland to kick off the new season.