When the Utah Jazz meet the Portland Trail Blazers in Boise, Idaho, Jazz fans can expect to see some familiar names. Three former Jazz players are now donning the red and black Blazers jerseys: Mo Williams, Earl Watson and Wesley Matthews.

The Jazz shocked the Golden State Warriors at home, 101-78, and looked nothing like the non-playoff team they were tabbed to be in the off-season. They lost a lot of key players, including center Al Jefferson and forward Paul Millsap, who accounted for a significant chuck of the team's offense in 2012-13. Jefferson, who averaged 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, led the Jazz in both categories, and it is hard to imagine Utah advancing to the next level without him, especially since the rest of the team looks like it was just put together to clear salary cap space.

Observers are counting on Gordon Hayward to do more for his team this season, and his career trajectory indicates that it will indeed happen. From scoring less than six points a game as a rookie, he transformed into a legitimate scorer in 2012-13, averaging nearly 15 markers. Center Derrick Favors is also expected to have a breakout season after playing in the shadow of Jefferson for the past three years, as all of his statistics have gone up since moving from New Jersey.

The Blazers have lost their first two games of the preseason: an 81-89 loss to the LA Clippers and a 98-104 home game to what many see is one of the weakest teams in Phoenix Suns franchise history. While preseason games are in no way an indicator of a team's regular-season strength, fans in Portland are not happy with what they have seen so far.

By all accounts, the Blazers seem to be a team that are always on the bubble for a playoff berth. They have legitimate talent, including 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard, center LaMarcus Aldridge and forward Nicolas Batum who is fresh from a Eurobasket gold medal stint with the French national team. The problem is getting the team to play whole. Aldridge, who played in Wednesday's game against Phoenix, is still not sure when he'll be back at full strength. Batum, on the other hand, is still recovering from a concussion he suffered during practice on Tuesday.

On the brighter side, Lillard has been playing splendidly as of late, pouring in 19 points in a rally that brought the Suns' lead down to a respectable six points. Lillard has been given the key to the team,and has not disappointed so far. If Lillard continues his shooting streak, Portland might just get over the playoff hump after all.

The game in Boise is the first NBA pre-season game to be played in the city. The Blazers' D-League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, are based in Boise and play their home games at the CenturyLink Arena.