Sat Jan 5 10:26:04 2008

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Portland hosts Northwest Division-rival Utah

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(Sports Network) - The Portland Trail Blazers shoot for their third straight win tonight, when they open a short two-game homestand versus the Utah Jazz at the Rose Garden.

Portland has won two in a row after having its season-high 13-game winning streak come to an end at the Jazz on New Year's Eve at EnergySolutions Arena. The Blazers then rebounded with a road win over Minnesota on Wednesday before notching a 115-109 double-overtime victory against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night at the United Center.

Against the Bulls, Brandon Roy scored 25 points, dished out 11 assists and grabbed six rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers. Travis Outlaw had 21 points off the bench and Jarrett Jack had 17 for red-hot Portland, which has won 15 of its last 16 games overall.

The Blazers, who are 15-3 at the Rose Garden in 2007-08, have won 10 in a row as the host. They will also welcome Golden State to town on the homestand.

Utah, meanwhile, has won two in a row and four of its last seven games, including Wednesday's 110-107 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.

Carlos Boozer scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Mehmet Okur contributed 20 points for the Jazz. Deron Williams had 15 points and a season- high 20 assists in a winning cause.

The Jazz are 6-13 away from Salt Lake City this season.

Saturday's game between Utah and Portland is the fourth and final meeting of the regular season. Portland leads the season series, 2-1, while the Jazz have won seven of 11 and eight of the last 13 meetings.

Utah has lost three straight after winning its last two at Portland.