This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

When you think of the Portland Trail Blazers, rebounding the basketball doesn't readily come to mind.

Rather, stopping or at least attempting to contain Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum normally presents a greater importance. The two present one of the very best backcourts in the NBA, and certainly one of the its most explosive.

At the same time, the rebounding makes sense. When the Jazz face Portland on Wednesday night at Vivint Smart Home Arena, they know they will surrender their share of made shots to Lillard and McCollum. What they don't want is for the duo to get extra cracks at making shots.

Portland is a unique team in that way. More than most around the league, the Blazers' success is tied to their success on a given night at the 3-point line. Such shots create long rebounds, which can be hard to corral.

That's why Jazz forward Gordon Hayward talked about rebounding the ball on Wednesday morning. Yes, Portland can be lethal offensively. But it's the second and third chances that tend to demoralize its opponent.

All of which the Jazz would love to avoid in their final game before the all-star break. Utah is riding a three game losing streak and playing some of its worst basketball of the season. In that sense the Jazz would like nothing more than to go into the break on a high note.

— Tony Jones