The Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz are already very familiar with each other: Both teams play in the Northwest Division, both teams reside in cities that do not attract free agents, and both teams are on the same trajectory.
With the news of Kevin Durant heading out West, the Northwest Division is up for grabs again. Even though the Thunder are still a formidable opponent, there is a decent chance the division will be decided between the Trail Blazers and Jazz. Given the amount of times the two teams will square off, there’s a good chance things will get heated.