Jefferson leads Jazz past Blazers 86-77

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Al Jefferson had 21 points, including two one-handed shots in the lane to clinch the victory, and the Utah Jazz beat the Portland Trail Blazers 86-77 on Friday night.

Paul Millsap added 15 points for the Jazz, who have won eight of their last nine home games.

After trailing most of the game, LaMarcus Aldridge, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds, made a putback to cap nine consecutive points by the Blazers and draw Portland within six at 78-72 with 5:28 remaining.

Alec Burks finally snapped the string of seven straight missed shots by Utah with a tip-in, but Damian Lilliard hit a 3-pointer make it 80-75 with 3:57 to play.

But that's all the Blazers could muster down the stretch. Though the Jazz struggled to score, the Blazers came up empty on six straight possessions with two turnovers and four missed shots. Lilliard, who played collegiately at Weber State in nearby Ogden, finished with 26 points.